English football mourns Lord David Triesman after death aged 82

Lord David Triesman has died at the age of 82, prompting tributes from football’s governing bodies after his period as the first independent chair of The Football Association between 2008 and 2010. UEFA said Triesman “made a significant impact on the game’s governance in England”, noting he also served on the boards of Wembley National Stadium, the Premier League shareholders’ meeting and the Football Foundation, and was a qualified senior referee. The FA said: “We were saddened to learn about the passing of our former Chairman Lord David Triesman. Lord Triesman passed away at home at the age of 82, on Friday 30 January 2026.” As FA chair between 2008 and 2010, he campaigned against racism in the sport and was a vocal supporter of women's football. The FA added that Triesman’s football roles extended beyond chairing the organisation, including board positions linked to Wembley and the national game’s funding structures, while UEFA offered condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.