Lord Triesman, the former Labour minister and one-time chairman of the Football Association, has died at the age of 82.
Prominent Labour figures have offered tributes to their late colleague, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commending his “brilliant contribution to our party and country.” Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair hailed him as “a vital part of the New Labour movement.”
Born David Triesman in London, he entered Blair’s government as Foreign Office minister in 2004. He actively participated in the House of Lords and served on several key select committees until his passing.
During his tenure as FA chair from 2008 to 2010, he championed the fight against racism in football and ardently supported women’s football.
Prior to joining the Blair government in the House of Lords, Lord Triesman held the position of general secretary of both the Association of University Teachers and the Labour Party.
Following Labour’s shift into opposition in 2010, he assumed the role of shadow minister for foreign affairs in the Lords.
A dedicated Spurs supporter, Lord Triesman made history as the first independent chair of the FA.
He resigned from the role, as well as his position as chair of England’s 2018 World Cup bid, in May 2010 after a tabloid newspaper published a sting in which he was recorded accusing rival bidders of bribery. Lord Triesman maintained that the remarks were part of a private conversation and “never intended to be taken seriously.”
In subsequent years, he advocated for a culture change within FIFA, football’s governing body, to address allegations of corruption.
In a statement, the Labour Party confirmed that Lord Triesman passed away “peacefully and at home” on Friday night.
The Prime Minister expressed his “sadness” upon hearing of the death in a post on X.
Sir Tony remarked that Lord Triesman was “passionate about the cause, whether the Labour Party or football, he was deeply committed to making change to improve people’s lives.”
He added in a statement, “He was a gentle, genuine, good guy who put others before himself naturally and without hesitation.”
Baroness Angela Smith, Leader of the House of Lords and Labour peer, stated that Lord Triesman was “respected and loved by his colleagues for his courtesy, kindness, wisdom, loyalty and generosity of spirit.”
Lord Triesman is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their daughter, Ilona.