Footie legend Ian Rush backs Welsh FIFA Council candidate

Welsh footie legend Ian Rush has given his backing to a Welsh candidate for the FIFA Council.

Laura McAllister, who has been nominated by the FAW for the position of UEFA’s designated female representative on the council, shared a video message from the former Liverpool and Wales striker on social media.

Rush has won 73 caps for his country and was record international goal scorer until he was overtaken by Gareth Bale in 2018.

He is also all-time leading goal scorer for Liverpool, having netted 346 times in all competitions. During his time at the club, he won 5 First Division titles, 3 FA Cups, 5 League Cups and 2 European Cups.

In his video message, he described McAllister, who is currently Professor of Public Policy and Governance of Wales at Cardiff University, as a “great role model”.

‘Supporting’ 

She is a former chair of Sport Wales and board member of UK Sport. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are supporting her nomination alongside the FAW.

McAllister who earned 24 caps for Wales between 1994 and 2001, has also served as director and vice-chair of the FAW Trust Board for more than 12 years and has held the position of deputy chair on UEFA’s Women’s Football Committee since 2016.

Ian Rush said: “Hi Laura, Ian Rush here. I’d just like to wish you all the best for the UEFA elections and FIFA Council. Also I’d just like to say how important it is to have someone like yourself involved in football. You are a great role model. All the best.”

Absolutely made up to have this latest wonderful endorsement from @LFC & @Cymru legend @Ian_Rush9. Great to have the support of a Reds & Wales legend for my #UEFA election for #FIFA Council. Diolch yn fawr Rushie #LauraMcAllisterforfootball pic.twitter.com/g0NrndQC7L

— Laura McAllister 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@LauraMcAllister) April 11, 2021

Laura McAllister said: “Absolutely made up to have this latest wonderful endorsement from @LFC & @Cymru legend @Ian_Rush9. Great to have the support of a Reds & Wales legend for my #UEFA election for #FIFA Council. Diolch yn fawr Rushie.”

“I’m a football candidate, I have lived my life through football from a small child all the way up to being captain of my national team and then being involved in the governance of the game.

“I do think it’s really important we have voices around the table who can speak with authority, knowledge and experience of the game – and I don’t just mean the women’s game.”