Alex Horne new FA general secretary with 'chief executive' title axed

Alex Horne was today appointed as the Football Association's general secretary following a board meeting that led to Roger Burden becoming the sole interim chairman. Horne was a steady hand in three separate spells as acting chief executive and his new title mirrors those of the most senior executives at Fifa and Uefa. Burden said: "The board has been greatly impressed by the work that Alex Horne has done in his seven years at the FA. We are confident that in appointing Alex to lead the executive on a permanent basis he will provide strong leadership and stability." The developments mean the former Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks steps down from his role as acting co-chairman, allowing Burden – who comes from within the amateur game as head of the Gloucestershire FA – to take up the post on his own. There were claims of a series of disagreements between the pair over such issues as who would conduct ceremonial duties on the pitch at the England international against Mexico at Wembley on Monday night. In the event it was Sir Dave Richards, the Premier League and FA international committee chairman, who carried out