These men are not fit to govern our game

HOW can anyone trust the FA after this? How can any ethnic minority or female player have confidence that the FA will resolve a grievance? Both Eni Aluko and Lianne Sanderson (below) lost their places in the England team after raising concerns. They had every right to complain because the third inquiry concluded that manager Mark Sampson made racist comments. It’s unacceptable behaviour. People call it banter. Rubbish. It’s an abuse of the power of your position. It’s a massive failing by the FA and people will now fear complaining because Aluko’s experience shows it could damage their career. Aluko has also made allegations against goalkeeping coach Lee Kendall, and it will be a farce if he is in France for tonight’s game. In Aluko’s written evidence, she alleges he mocked her by using a Caribbean accent. As she is a British woman of Nigerian heritage, it’s beyond insulting. Even if she was Caribbean, what on earth gives Kendall the right to speak to her like that? It is not harmless fun, it is racism. Football has led the way in tackling racism in society but there’s a lot more to it. It’s about transparency and how you conduct yourself. Things are still being brushed under the carpet and managers are defended to avoid the truth coming out. The trust is broken. From what I saw in Parliament, I was astounded that Greg Clarke, Martin Glenn and Dan Ashworth are in powerful positions. The ‘fluff’ comment from Clarke was ill-judged at best, at worst it was indicative of the exact institutionalised issues the case highlighted. The FA need to ask whether they have the right people to take the game into the 21st century. I have been with the FA since 1987 at Lilleshall and I still work for them in hospitality. It’s a 30-year relationship but this is an all-time low. I cannot stand here as a black man and not say anything. It’s an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and get people in who really care about football in this country. We need to reflect the diversity in the game and society. We need female voices in power and people like Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand should be heard out, too. If you don’t get people in there who understand it, how can you get the right answers?