Ex-football boss dies at 82 as tributes pour in from world of sport and politics

Tributes have poured in from the world of football and politics after the death of ex-FA chairman Lord Triesman. The former Labour minister, who later became a peer, died aged 82 on Friday night, the party announced.

Former prime minister Tony Blair was among those who led tributes to the lifelong Spurs fan, saying he was a “vital part of the New Labour movement”, while the party credited him with paying a major role in exposing corruption within Fifa.

Lord Triesman was chairman of the FA from 2008-2010 and at one stage the head of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, but stepped down in 2010 after a newspaper sting recorded him accusing two rival bidders of corruption.

Baroness Angela Smith, Labour’s leader in the House of Lords described him as “respected and loved by his colleagues for his courtesy, kindness, wisdom, loyalty and generosity of spirit”.

The Labour party said in a statement that Lord Tries “died last night peacefully and at home”, adding that he was “a politician, a trade union leader, an academic and a merchant banker.”

He was the general secretary of the AUT (Association of University Teachers), and the general secretary of the Labour Party, before he joined Sir Tony Blair’s government in the House of Lords in 2004.

He served as a Foreign Office minister and then later as under-secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills. Lord Triesman was later Labour’s shadow minister for foreign affairs, and also sat on several prominent select committees.

The statement added: “He pursued a very active role in the House of Lords from 2004 until his death. And served as a Lord in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II from 2004-2022.

“A passionate Spurs Fan, Lord Triesman became the first patron of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the first independent chair of the FA (Football Association) from which platform he advocated intensely against racism in football and for the increased centrality of the women’s football. He later played an important role in the exposing of corruption within Fifa.”

The statement concluded: “Beyond his many public roles, David will be ever missed by his family and friends for his warmth, love, humour, insight and the ceaseless encouragement he gave to the younger generations of their family and their friends’ families.

“Lord Triesman is survived by his wife Lucy, the Lady Triesman, and their daughter Ilona. The family wishes their privacy to be respected at this sad time.”

Lady Smith, leader of the House of Lords, said: “As a Labour peer, David was respected and loved by his colleagues for his courtesy, kindness, wisdom, loyalty and generosity of spirit.

“He was great company with a wide circle of friends who shared lively conversations on his many interests and enthusiasms, particularly but not exclusively, politics and football.

“David bore his illness with amazing courage and even in the last weeks of his life he was engaging company. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, but we are proud to have had his friendship.

“I would like to pass on sincere condolences from all of David’s colleagues in the Labour Peers Group to his wife Lucy and daughter Ilona.”

Former prime minister Sir Tony said: “David was a vital part of the New Labour movement and became in time a great friend. Passionate about the cause, whether the Labour Party or football, he was deeply committed to making change to improve people’s lives.

“Unwavering in his loyalty and dedication, he was someone both liked and admired by those who had the privilege of working with him.

“He was a gentle, genuine, good guy who put others before himself naturally and without hesitation. My profound condolences to Lucy and all his family.”

Hollie Ridley, Labour’s general secretary, also paid tribute to her predecessor. She said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of Lord Triesman’s sad passing.

“Far too few general secretaries have had the privilege of serving the Labour Party and the country while Labour is in power – and the work David did while in that role helped to ensure our campaign machinery had the solid foundations needed to help us go on to win that third term in government.

“His commitment to public service was admirable and he will be much missed by those who he worked so closely with. I would like to extend my sincere condolences on behalf of the whole Labour Party, to David’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

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