PFA facing REVOLT over appointment of Maheta Molango as chief executive

The PFA’s appointment of Maheta Molango as chief executive is being challenged in the latest extraordinary outbreak of infighting at the players’ union.

Sportsmail has learned that two of the four other shortlisted candidates are submitting formal complaints to the PFA’s outgoing chief executive Gordon Taylor and the players’ board about the recruitment process, raising concerns over its openness and transparency.

One of the candidates even expressed misgivings before the end of the process.

Maheta Molango’s appointment as the new PFA chief executive is being challenged

Molango, a 38-year-old Swiss lawyer and former Brighton striker, was named as Taylor’s replacement this week, chosen by a four-strong advisory panel appointed by a selection panel of Gary Neville, Edward Canty and John Mousinho last year.

The complaints are understood to centre on the role of Mousinho, who was supposed to step away from the process after the advisory panel had been appointed.

It is understood Mousinho, 34, attended the final round of interviews alongside the advisory panel with two candidates — Molango and former Republic of Ireland midfielder Gareth Farrelly — who were on a five-strong shortlist with PFA chairman Ben Purkiss, former Stoke striker Jon Walters and former Chelsea defender Paul Elliott.

It has also been claimed that after Molango was selected, Mousinho suggested to the PFA he could take the role if the Swiss turned it down, an offer which was swiftly rejected.

In addition to playing a key role in selecting the advisory panel, Mousinho is a member of the players’ board, who unanimously approved Molango’s appointment.

Gordon Taylor will step down later this year as PFA chief – a role he has held since 1981

The complainants have also raised other concerns about the interview process, which it is claimed was insufficiently rigorous especially as it is the first time the PFA have appointed a chief executive in 40 years. The first round of interviews were conducted by head-hunting firm the Savannah Group with the second round led by the advisory panel when candidates were given just one hour. Molango and Farrelly were invited to a third interview, which also involved Mousinho.

The make-up of the advisory panel of Darren Hardman, Trevor Johnson, Ebru Koksal and Geoff Thompson is another source of grievance as Hardman and Johnson are executives at Amazon and TikTok respectively, huge multinational companies widely perceived as being opposed to trade unions.

There is also unhappiness among players that the advisory panel have only put forward one candidate rather than producing options to be voted on in a full election of PFA members.

Neville defended Molango’s appointment on Friday, accusing critics of xenophobia. ‘It’s clear that football is resisting this appointment,’ said Neville. ‘It’s actually the first time there has probably been a truly independent process within English football around the appointment of a CEO. This candidate has the skill-set, he’s representative of the membership and, before he even gets in seat, it’s almost as if it’s been determined whether he’s good enough or not. I wish the new candidate all the best. I hope the members validate and accept his appointment.’

Mousinho was not available for comment. 

Gary Neville gave his backing to Molango as CEO of the PFA on Instagram on Friday