English Football Association president Prince William on Thursday warned that the body's governance structure needs reform.
The Duke of Cambridge noted that the Football Association (FA), was in danger of being "left behind" according to the BBC, reports Efe.
The prince made the remarks at a lunch at the Wembley stadium to mark his 10th anniversary as FA president.
The Football Association was formed in 1863 by Ebenezer Morley, a London solicitor who is often referred to as the "father" of the association.
"Our governance structure is in danger of falling short of modern standards of best practice," Prince William was quoted as saying by the BBC.
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The Duke, who took over the FA presidency from his uncle, the Duke of York, added that "there is a wind of change blowing through global sporting governance".
He told guests, many of whom were FA board members, that he knows the organisation "is currently reviewing this issue and there is an opportunity to seize the initiative by the way in which we reform ourselves".
The prince admitted that this issue is "emotive" which requires that "all have a stake in deciding".