GARETH SOUTHGATE has lashed out at disgraced former FA chairman Greg Clarke and insisted his England players ‘deserve the right leadership’.
Clarke quit on Tuesday after making a string of shocking and outdated comments about racial diversity to a committee of MPs.
Gareth Southgate has lashed out at disgraced former FA chairman Greg ClarkeCredit: Rex Features
The England boss insists his Three Lions ‘deserve the right leadership’Credit: Rex Features
And England boss Southgate revealed he had felt the need to speak to his England players – many of whom have spoken out about racism – to assure them Clarke’s attitudes did nor reflect his opinions or those of the FA.
Southgate said: “I felt I couldn’t ignore what had happened and not explain to the players that (Clarke’s comments) weren’t what people within the FA thought was acceptable.
“I talked about there being 800 people in the FA – which is such a broader organisation and younger and more diverse than people realise.
“The biggest danger was the good work those people do was distracted from and it’s not what we do as a team.
“So I felt it was important to speak from the heart about that and that the players understand where I am on it.
“They had spoken so eloquently on numerous occasions on the issues we’ve faced as a team and the issues we’ve faced as society and they deserve the right leadership and support around that.”
Meanwhile, FIFA have refused to sack Greg Clarke from his £190,000-a-year role as vice-chairman.
The 63-year-old resigned from his position as chairman of the FA on Tuesday following a reel of offensive comments around race, sexuality and gender.
Clarke’s term of office runs until 2023 and while Fifa released a damning statement, they said the ball is in his court whether he wants to resign from his post.
The statement read: “FIFA’s zero tolerance position on discrimination remains steadfast and clear: any form of discrimination, including racism, sexism and homophobia, has no place in football.
“In the circumstances and given the nature of his comments, FIFA considers that Mr. Clarke did the right thing to resign as chairman of the FA yesterday.
“He is, of course, free to resign from the FIFA Council, just as he has resigned as chairman of the FA. It is for Mr. Clarke to take that decision.”
FA Chairman Greg Clarke apologises for ‘coloured’ comment
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
