The Football Association (FA) has confirmed it has appointed Brian Barwick, controller of ITV Sport, as its next chief executive.

Barwick, who joined ITV in 1998 after spending 18 years at the BBC, will take up his position at the FA on 31 January 2005.

FA chair, Geoff Thomspon, said: “We had a very strong shortlist of candidates but, in Brian, we have found an exceptional individual with the qualities and experience to lead a talented team of people at the FA.”

The FA’s previous chief executive, Mark Palios, resigned in August following allegations that he attempted to hide details of his relationship with FA secretary, Faria Alam, in exchange for offering details of England manager Sven Göran Eriksson’s affair with Alam.