Former Labour Minister and FA Chair, Lord Triesman, Dies at 82
The political world mourns the loss of Lord Triesman, a former Labour minister and chair of the Football Association, who passed away at the age of 82. The Labour party announced that the peer died on Friday night, peacefully and at home.
Tributes poured in for Triesman, with former Prime Minister Tony Blair describing him as a "vital part of the New Labour movement." Labour's leader in the House of Lords, Angela Smith, praised his "courtesy, kindness, wisdom, loyalty, and generosity of spirit."
Triesman's political career began with the Association of University Teachers trade union and the Labour party, before joining Blair's government in the House of Lords in 2004. He held various positions, including Foreign Office minister and undersecretary of state for innovation, universities, and skills.
In addition to his political achievements, Triesman was a passionate Spurs fan and became the first patron of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. He advocated for anti-racism in football and the centrality of women's football, playing a significant role in exposing FIFA corruption.
However, Triesman's career took a controversial turn in 2010 when he resigned as FA chair after being secretly recorded making bribery allegations about rival countries' attempts to host the men's World Cup. Despite this, his contributions to Labour and football remain significant.
Triesman is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their daughter, Ilona. His colleagues and friends remember him as a "gentle, genuine, good guy" who bore his illness with courage and will be deeply missed.
