England’s Football Association have welcomed a $500,000 grant from FIFA towards their new national football centre as evidence of a major step forward in an often icy relationship with the world governing body.

The money will go towards ‘The Goal’ project of a sports and medical centre at St George’s Park in Burton, central England.

It was only last year that FA chairman David Bernstein received a frosty reception from fellow delegates after calling, unsuccessfully, for the unopposed re-election of FIFA president Sepp Blatter to be postponed in order to allow rival candidates to emerge.

Relations between FIFA and most of English football nose-dived when England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup attracted only one FIFA vote apart from the one cast by the FA.

But Bernstein, welcoming the funding, said in a statement yesterday that relations were thawing.

“This is fantastic news and reflects FIFA’s commitment to raising standards within the game around the world and to our improving relationship with FIFA.”

Blatter added: “Protecting the health of players is one of our key objectives and I am therefore very pleased that this project will be dedicated to a sports science and medical centre at such an emblematic location at St George’s Park.”

The English Football Association also announced yesterday it will fund bursaries for nine promising international coaches to study for the FA International Licence course under a new scheme.

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