The English FA were left in a five-month state of limbo last night after the enforced resignation of chairman Keith Wiseman following the cash-for-votes scandal.

Wiseman's departure was confirmed when the FA's full council unanimously condemned his agreement to a £3.2 million loan or grant to the Football Association of Wales without the council's prior knowledge.

But while FA chiefs insisted there had been no organised campaign to oust Wiseman and chief executive Graham Kelly, who quit before Christmas, it was confirmed that his replacement will not be chosen until June.

The leading contenders are already well known - vice-chairman Geoff Thompson, who has been given temporary control, former Football League supremo David Sheepshanks and Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Richards.