FA IN TURMOIL BOSS CLARKE QUITS OVER OFFENSIVE REMARKS
THE Football Association was thrown into turmoil last night after chairman Greg Clarke was forced to resign in the wake of a disastrous appearance in front of MPs which saw him accused of racist, sexist and homophobic language.
Clarke apologised after referring to ‘coloured players’ in what he claimed was a slip of the tongue at a digital, culture, media and sport select committee hearing.
That apology was deemed insufficient by many players and antidiscrimination groups, while further remarks about the number of ‘ South Asians’ in the FA’s IT department – with Clarke claiming ‘they have different career interests’ compared to ‘Afro-Caribbeans’ – did nothing to help his cause. The 63-year-old also referred to homosexuality as a ‘life choice’ and suggested ‘ young girls just don’t like having the ball kicked at them hard’.
The FA announced last night: ‘We can confirm Greg Clarke has stepped down. ‘Peter McCormick will step in as interim chair with immediate effect and the board will begin the process of identifying and appointing a new chair.’
Confirming his decision to resign with immediate effect, Clarke (pictured) said: ‘I have been actively considering standing down for some time to make way for a new chair.
‘My unacceptable words in front of parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallised my resolve to move on.
‘I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.’
Clarke’s ignominious exit ended an extraordinary day which it had been hoped would help end the struggle to agree a financial rescue package for the English Football League.
Clarke, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and EFL chairman Rick Parry were grilled by MPs frustrated at a lack of progress.
But rather than breaking the deadlock, the fall-out from Clarke’s remarks only increases the issues facing football during the pandemic.