Businesswoman Debbie Hewitt becomes the first woman president of the English Football Association in its 157-year history.
It was elected unanimously by the selection committee and will take over in January subject to ratification by the FA Council.
She alluded to the Super League debacle in a statement accepting the role.
“As events of the past few months have shown, this is an important moment for English football with a clear goal for everyone involved to ensure the long-term health of the game at all levels,” she said.
“I was passionate about football at a young age and am excited about the opportunity to do my part in shaping the future of something that is so important to so many people.”
The role became available when Greg Clarke resigned in November after making abusive remarks, including saying that a coach told him that young players don’t like it when the ball hits them hard.
Prominent black players in England have said they would like to see an ethnic minority president.
Could the German Football Association (DFB) now follow suit with a female figurehead? Fritz Keller resigned in May after comparing his vice president to a notorious Nazi judge.
Several women have been linked to the German work, including amateur football administrator Ute Groth and Sylvia Schenk from Transparency International.
Two of the largest football associations in the world with female presidents would make a strong statement, especially since women’s football is really gaining a foothold in both countries.
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