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The Football Association is beginning its search for a new chairman following the resignation of Greg Clarke over \u201charmful, archaic\u201d and \u201cdeeply offensive\u201d remarks.<\/p>\nThe Football Association is beginning its search for a new chairman following the resignation of Greg Clarke over \u201charmful, archaic\u201d and \u201cdeeply offensive\u201d remarks.<\/p>\n
Peter McCormick, chairman of the FA\u2019s professional game board, has been named interim chairman after Clarke stepped down amid a storm of criticism.<\/p>\n
The 63-year-old apologized after he used the word \u201ccolored\u201d to describe black players and insinuated that being gay was a \u201clife choice\u201d.<\/p>\n
His comments, over a video link before a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, were branded \u201charmful\u201d, \u201carchaic\u201d and \u201cdeeply offensive\u201d by a host of anti-discrimination groups.<\/p>\n
Clarke was also condemned for saying that black and South Asian people had \u201cdifferent career interests\u201d from each other, and drew complaints for saying a women\u2019s coach had told him that the lack of women\u2019s goalkeepers was due to girls not liking the ball being kicked at them.<\/p>\n
The FA announced Clarke\u2019s resignation early on Tuesday evening and Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari welcomed the swift action taken.<\/p>\n
Bhandari said on Sky Sports News: \u201cWe are not just talking about anybody here, we are talking about the leader of our national game on a really major strategic issue for the FA, which is driving greater diversity and inclusion, making everyone feel they belong in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese were archaic attitudes which were really revealing themselves in comment after comment \u2013 a well-briefed chair or CEO would know exactly how to navigate that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not as if this is the first time, there have been previous incidents \u2013 like referring to institutional racism as \u2018fluff\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat it shows is there is an attitude underlying which is really not the right attitude to be leading the English game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FA finds itself embroiled in new controversy just two weeks after it launched a new diversity code, which aims to ensure more candidates from ethnic minorities can land top jobs.<\/p>\n
In 2017, former England forward Lianne Sanderson gave evidence alongside Eniola Aluko at a parliamentary inquiry into allegations of racism within the game during which Clarke was criticized for describing the accusations as \u201cfluff\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sanderson believes Tuesday\u2019s developments show how much work there is still to be done on the drive for equality.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often question how these people get into these positions in the first place, and then we wonder why racism and homophobia is on the rise,\u201d Sanderson told Sky Sports News.<\/p>\n
In announcing Clarke\u2019s departure, the FA said: \u201cWe would also like to reaffirm that as an organization, we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to promote diversity, address inequality, and tackle all forms of discrimination in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FA is yet to set out the process for the appointment of his successor, but the preferred candidate would need to be approved by the FA Council.<\/p>\n
Clarke is also one of three FIFA vice-presidents representing UEFA and reports on Tuesday night suggested he will step away from that role too.<\/p>\n
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston wrote on Twitter: \u201cGreg Clarke\u2019s comments in front of today\u2019s DCMS Select Committee have caused deep offence and were completely unacceptable. I acknowledge his decades of service to football and his apology, but he was right to stand down as chairman of the FA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ensure that opportunities are open to everyone in the sports sector \u2013 from athletes to board members \u2013 and all forms of discrimination must be tackled head on. I will continue to work with the FA and other bodies to ensure our national game positively leads by example.\u201d<\/p>\n
Equality campaigners Stonewall UK said: \u201cThe language we use matters, which is why it\u2019s a shame Greg Clarke used such a harmful phrase like \u2018life choice\u2019 to describe being gay.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also deeply upsetting to hear the archaic words and stereotypes he used to describe Black and Asian people, along with sexist stereotypes about players from the women\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Football v Homophobia said: \u201cThe idea that being gay is a life choice is an outdated concept that many people will find deeply offensive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some people who will use a statement like this from the FA chairman as a way to prop up their homophobia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former DCMS committee chair Damian Collins hopes Clarke\u2019s resignation will bring about some much-needed change at the governing body.<\/p>\n
Collins said on Twitter: \u201cGreg Clarke\u2019s departure as FA chairman should be a moment for fundamental reform of the governance of football in England.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a body that shows real leadership on player development and welfare, fan engagement, inclusion and financial sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n