Mellor may head football task force

David Mellor, the former Conservative minister who resigned as Heritage Secretary over his affair with the actress Antonia de Sancha, is understood to be a prime candidate to head a new government football task force which will push through sweeping reforms to the game.

A football enthusiast who attends dozens of matches every season, Mr Mellor is seen as the man to give the task force real clout. It will have the power to investigate and recommend new measures to deal with spiralling ticket prices, racism and also to encourage players to become "role models". After 18 years as the MP for Putney, in south-west London, Mr Mellor lost his seat at the General Election.