Taylor denies making ‘coloured’ remark

The embattled Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor was last night forced to deny claims he referred to black players as “coloured” at an event promoting racial equality.

Four witnesses have reportedly complained about his choice of words among an audience largely made up of former professional sports people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

However, Taylor, who last week announced a “full and open review” into PFA following recent criticism of his record, has no recollection of using the phrase at an On the Board course last year.

The Guardian claims it has spoken independently to four people who have provided near-identical claims of Taylor causing dismay with his choice of words.

A spokesperson for the players’ union said: “Gordon firmly believes he didn’t say it and it is not language he would ever use.”

The claims come after Taylor, who has been the leading figure in the PFA for 37 years, has faced criticism over his leadership and pay. More than 300 current and former players have signed a letter calling for him to resign.

The witnesses claim that they were so aggrieved about the use of the word “coloured” that a complaint was made to a senior PFA official who is involved with On the Board, a training course which teaches former players about governance and has the specific aim of changing the culture in football so boardrooms are no longer filled exclusively with white faces.

The Charity Commission said last week it would be “engaging” with the PFA “to establish the facts”. The watchdog says it become “aware of concerns regarding the expenditure” of the PFA charity, which helps support past and present players. Taylor said criticism “must not be swept under the carpet”.