Government condemns FA 'failings'

England's women lost to Germany in the final of the European Championships

The Football Association has been strongly criticised by the government for failing to implement promised reforms, BBC Sport can reveal.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has written to the heads of the FA, Premier League and Football League, questioning their ability to work together.

Sutcliffe expresses disappointment at the FA's apparent lack of development in crucial areas of the national game.

The FA has said this response poses "important challenges to the game".

The government's criticism stems in part from the FA's lack of progress on implementing in full the recommendations of the 2005 Burns report.

Lord Burns was asked to conduct a thorough review of English football's governing body with the aim of making it a stronger, more transparent organisation.

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