Blogger’s Note: Reform UK Councillor for Norfolk – Paul Carr – is a Director and Chief Executive of the Walking Football Association (WFA) of the UK. He is also the serving President of the Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA) – which regulates the game internationally. Reform UK is a political party hostile to immigration and is considered right-wing and far-right by many. There is a movement within the WFA to have closer ties with the UK’s “Football Association” (FA) which regulates the highly lucrative (standard) professional and amateur versions of the game. The FA exists to commercialise and exploit the game of football – and Paul Carr (and his supporters) are afraid that if the FA are allowed to penetrate the internal workings of Walking Football – it will commercialise the game and change its character completely. For instance, players could end-up being paid – and teams forced to make “foreign” signings – so that Walking Football ceases to be “local”. In support of Paul Carr’s resistance to this intended FA merger – FIWFA stated that WFA Referees (who oppose this merger) had left that organisation (the WFA) and instead joined FIWFA as a protest. WFA issued a statement denying any such defection had taken place – and Paul Carr – as FIWFA President (interpreting the WFA declaration to be “false”) “banned” all UK WFA teams from the upcoming (2026) European tournament (to be held in Spain). What to make of all this? In one sense, Paul Carr appears to be arguing with himself – but of course – this is not the case. As “President” of FIWFA he is arguing with his subordinate colleagues in the WFA – who appear to be attempting to undermine his authority by pushing ahead with unwanted FA negotiations. Although some papers are trying to present Paul Carr as a bigot due to his political affiliations – it is clear from the content hosted on the FIWFA website that the game is truly international and multicultural. My criticism is that “Israel” (despite its Genocide in Gaza) is permitted to be a member. At least there is no Neo-Nazi Ukraine – yet! Furthermore, the WFA refers to “Hong Kong” as a “country” in its own right – and does not recognise the fact that it is part of China. China is not included on either the FIWFA or WFA websites. Politics permeate nearly all of these organisations which puts me off getting involved. Sutton United, for instance, facilitates my local walking football activity – but Sutton United assisted in the importation of thousands of Hong Rioters after the 2020 protests – thus attacking China in the process (the Rioters pretended to be persecuted Christians). This is why I find the “Hong Kong” association with Walking Football in the UK suspicious – and will investigate this issue further (it would appear that the YMCA – a “Christian” mission in Hong Kong – facilitates the Walking Football team (linked above) – and does describe “Hong Kong” as being in “China”. Finally, it is ironic that Paul Carr is a member of Reform UK – whilst the Hong Kong Rioters now living in the UK have joined en masse Reform UK – even being photographed with Nigel Forage! ACW (13.8.2026)
England’s World Champion walking football teams have been banned from the upcoming European Championships – by their own chief executive.
The team claim their invitation to the Euros in November had been “rescinded” amid a row over whether the Walking Football Association (WFA) and the Football Association (FA) should collaborate.
The WFA’s chief executive and director, Paul Carr, is allegedly opposed to the plans including potentially unifying the rules, voicing his objections after a spat on Whatsapp.
The row erupted as the Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA), which Mr Carr also leads, claimed referees had left the WFA for FIWFA.
But the reigning world champions WFA denied this and Mr Carr, who was acting as the FIWFA’s president, demanded a retraction and apology.
If they refused, the FIWFA would consider expelling England’s teams from the Euros.
In a statement, the WFA said: “FIWFA have now advised the WFA that our membership is suspended and as such our England Teams are not welcome at the tournament.
“They have stated that our deposit is forfeit and that we are to be fined.
“It is a great shame that FIWFA have taken what we consider to be disproportionate action, disappointing our players and creating a situation where the other teams entering will not be able to compete against, in most categories, the reigning world champions.”
Mr Carr, who is also a Reform councillor in Norfolk, was approached for comment.
The England team won the World Cup last year in Spain in the men’s over 50s, 60s and 70s age groups and the women’s over 40s and 60s.
In walking football, games are played on pitches around a quarter of the size of a full-sized football pitch.
The WFA added that their position is that over the claim of referees changing organisations is any disrepute is a result of an inaccurate claim rather than a correction.
The statement continued: “As a result of what the WFA considered a gross overreaction, the WFA made a complaint to FIWFA and asked to see their complaints and discipline policies, as there are none on the website.
“Mr Carr sent a reply that he would not entertain the complaint about himself and it would not be investigated. He did not supply the requested policies.
“He did, however, make complaints about two WFA board members and advised that they should be thoroughly investigated by the WFA – and indeed they were, in accordance with the transparent WFA policies.
“Those complaints were found to be without foundation.”
Three main rules govern the games: players must walk and not run, there’s no physical contact and the ball remains under head height.
England now boasts more than 1,200 walking football clubs, with the sport being played in over 80 countries around the world and with popularity growing in Spain, France, Italy, the US and Australia.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 