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      FA chairman Greg Clarke forced to apologise TWICE after using term ‘coloured footballers’ while being grilled by MPs

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      FA chairman Greg Clarke was forced into TWO public apologies after a series of diversity gaffes when talking to MPs.
      The Wembley head’s virtual appearance in front of the DCMS Select Committee left the FA scrambling to shore up his position after a string of PR own goals.

      Greg Clarke has been in his role with the Football Association for four yearsCredit: Twitter @FAspokesperson

      Clarke was discussing the need for diversity efforts to continue within football when he used the term ‘coloured footballers’.
      That was in the context of a question about the lack of elite level gay players.
      Clarke told Labour’s Alex Davies-Jones: “I don’t know why.
      “But I look at what happens to high profile female footballers, high profile coloured footballers, and the abuse they take on social media, which is a free for all.

      “Women and black players take terrible vile abuse from racist and misogynists. Why would you voluntarily sign up for that abuse?”
      Within minutes, Clarke was taken to task by another Labour MP, Kevin Brennan, who asked him to apologise for his language.
      The embattled FA chairman replied: “If I said that I do apologise for it.
      “I’m a product of working overseas where I was required to use the term “people of colour” because that was a product of their diversity legislature. Sometimes I trip over my words.”

      That was not good enough as Clarke came under fire from former Spurs and England striker Darren Bent, who said: “Slip of the tongue was it? Awful, just awful.”
      Clarke is now facing serious pressure and the FA was forced into doubling down on his apology with a further statement.
      A Wembley spokesman said: “Greg Clarke is deeply apologetic for the language he used to reference members of the ethnic minority community during the select committee hearing today.”
      But Clarke was also criticised for other comments during his grilling.
      These included his apparent suggestion that being gay was a “life choice”, stating that the south asian community was more interested in working in the FA IT department than becoming players or coaches and reporting a comment from a youth coach that girls did not want to be goalkeepers because they did not like the ball being kicked “gard” at them.
      Sanjay Bhandari, chair of Kick It Out, slammed the “outdated” comments.

      Greg Clarke apologised for his actions after the interviewCredit: Reuters
      He added: “I was particularly concerned by the use of lazy racist stereotypes about South Asians and their supposed career preferences.
      “It reflects similar lazy stereotypes I have heard have been spouted at club academy level. “Being gay is not a ‘life choice’ as he claimed too.
      “The casual sexism of saying ‘girls’ do not like balls hit at them hard, is staggering from anyone, let alone the leader of our national game. It is completely unacceptable.”

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      More than 40 clubs put name to new FA ‘Football Leadership Diversity Code’ to improve representation in game

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      MORE than 40 clubs have put their names to a new FA charter aimed at improving diversity at all levels of the game.
      Southampton were the only top flight club not to be ‘founder signatories’ of the FA’s ‘Football Leadership Diversity Code’, launched today.

      Over 40 clubs have put their names to a new FA charter aimed at improving diversity in the gameCredit: Reuters

      Under the code, clubs commit to meeting a series of targets aimed at widening the numbers of non-white employees in coaching and executive levels.
      The Code, drafted by a team led by former Chelsea and Aston Villa defender Paul Elliott, has seen the clubs pledge to ‘champion diversity’ with coaching staffs that ‘reflect the professional playing base of diversity’.
      Coming into operation from the start of next season, clubs also promise to ensure their senior leadership matches the diversity of the local population.
      Targets that have been agreed include:

      Clubs committing to 15 per cent of new senior level recruits being black, asian or mixed heritage, with 30 per cent of new employees women.
      A quarter of coaching staff recruits from minority groups with one in ten new senior coaches non-white.
      At least one non-white man and women on the shortlist for any interviews where they meet the job requirement.
      Half of new coaches for women’s teams being female, with 15 per cent non-white.

      The FA insists that hiring will still be ‘based on merit, to find the best person for the job from diverse talent pipelines’.
      But Wembley chiefs are determined ‘to ensure English football better represents our modern and diverse society’.
      The signatories included 11 Championship clubs and nine from leagues One and Two, in addition to the PL contingent.
      A Premier League statement read: “The Premier League supports the introduction of the Football Leadership Diversity Code and is embedding the principles within its ongoing work, including the Premier League Equality Standard programme for clubs.

      “The voluntary code complements the significant work the League and its clubs have already undertaken, demonstrating our collective and continued commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across the game.
      “We firmly believe there should be no barrier to entry or opportunity in any area of football.
      “Working alongside our colleagues at the FA, EFL, PGMOL, PFA, LMA and Kick It Out we will continue to improve policy and practices to tackle underrepresentation with the aim of creating sustained and long-term change.”
      Southampton risked a backlash for not signing although the club insisted it is committed to proving itself a champion of diversity.
      Saints said: “Southampton are wholly supportive of the Football Leadership Diversity code objectives. 
      “In 2020 Southampton achieved the Premier League’s Advanced Equality Standard at the first time of asking, the only club to have achieved this to date.  
      “This achievement was the culmination of a five year Equality and Diversity journey, which includes setting and monitoring recruitment targets amongst a number of other E&D initiatives forming our action plan.  
      “We are aware that the Premier League are revising their Equality Standard to bring the two closer together. 
      “At this time the club consider its most appropriate course of action to wait and understand how a revised Premier League Equality Standard and the Football Leadership Diversity Code will work together and complement each other before revising our recruitment targets and already established processes.
      “We have had productive and encouraging discussions with Paul Elliott on this topic and will continue to work closely with him on this.”

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      FA urge PL clubs to accept new vision that will ‘block lower-quality foreign players’ signing in January transfer window

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      FA CHAIRMAN Greg Clarke has urged Premier League teams to accept a proposal that would prevent ‘lower quality foreign players’ joining in January.
      With the transition period following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union set to end as we move into 2021, clubs have until the end of this month to agree on new restrictions with the FA.

      Greg Clarke has been in communication with Premier League clubsCredit: PA:Press Association

      The two parties, however, have so far failed to reach an agreement.
      In documents seen by Sky Sports, Clarke wrote to PL clubs: “Whatever we do it’s inevitable that your access to European talent will be reduced from the current free access.
      “However we want to increase the access you have to non-European talent so that the Premier League can maintain its position as the leading league in the world.
      “We want to do this in such a way that protects the remainder of the pyramid and our national teams.

      “Government requirements are that players coming to play here should be internationally established at the highest level; making a significant contribution to football; and not taking the place of already settled talent.
      “All of these need to be reflected in the new system.
      “As with every other sector in the UK, Brexit means it will be more difficult to recruit internationally.
      “The Government has been clear that they expect all sectors to follow these principles and football will not be afforded an exemption.”

      Clubs have until October 31 to reach agreementCredit: Reuters

      Following two years of talks, the FA believe that they have found a ‘modern, progressive points-based system which will replace the blunt international appearances model currently in use for non-EEA players’.
      Clarke continued: “The system has been designed to give clubs greater access than ever before to the global market.
      “The Premier League has the highest market share of all the top European nations’ players playing outside their home league; but a much lower share for South American and African nations’ players due to the historical system.
      “The new system gives a 500 per cent uplift on guaranteed access to non-European talent, whilst also allowing the European talent in.
      “However, the system doesn’t allow access to lower quality foreign players who block the development pathway for home-grown players – and who rarely get to play.
      “Please be assured you still have access to talented young players; they have not been excluded.”
      Clarke, 62, believes that the Premier League’s current proposal could lead to the number of homegrown players at each club dropping further still in years to come.
      He added: “This would be closing the floodgates after the flood.

      For example, in the proposal a single youth international appearance would give the same points as Mo Salah receives for his entire Egypt career
      Greg Clarke

      “They have asked that any player registered with a team receives points for that club’s performance (League position, League band and Continental progression) even if they have not played a game; the Home Office is quite clear that a player must play to get points so this will simply not be possible.
      “They have also requested we include substantial points scored for youth internationals; but the Home Office is not supportive of the current proposal as these players are not internationally established at the highest level.
      “For example, in the proposal a single youth international appearance would give the same points as Mo Salah receives for his entire Egypt career. That will not be accepted by Government.
      “And finally, the League wants a lower point score to allow entry. This latter point is an area that we can discuss if the League is prepared to propose league rule changes to safeguard national talent.
      “Overall the changes that are requested to our model relate predominantly to young, unproven players and would have virtually no impact on first team signings.
      “We appreciate that there could be cost savings for clubs in being able to sign players before they are established, if they then develop to valuable assets, but we believe that providing the additional access requested would have a detrimental effect on the development of home-grown players.

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance
      “We simply can’t agree to changes that could, if unchecked, destroy the pipeline of talent for the England teams. We want to maintain our relationship with you and urge you to consider changes to your League rules to provide these checks and balances.”
      Clarke then warned that, if no agreement was reached by October 31, that he would press ahead with the FA’s current proposal.
      He finished: “If we are unable to agree any new changes, we will submit our current system to the Home Office for implementation in the January transfer window.
      “The Government have given us an extension to the end of October to submit the model.”

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      Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby banned for two years for doping by FA as he has contract ripped up

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      BARNSLEY defender Bambo Diaby has been banned for two years for doping and has had his contract ripped up by the club.
      The 22-year-old is now prohibited from ‘all forms of football activity’ until 2022.

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      Diaby was hit with the provisional suspension in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      He was found guilty by the FA and World Anti-Doping Agency of breaching regulations.
      Diaby showed traces of Higenamine in an ‘in-competition’ urine sample when tested in January 2020.
      Higenamine was added to the list of banned substances in 2017.
      It is found in a variety of plant sources and is on the banned list as it could act as a general stimulant.

      The Spain-born Senegalese centre-back could not explain how the substance got into his system.
      He has now been hit with a two year penalty – and Barnsley made it a double-whammy as they terminated his contract.
      The ban starts on the day of his first provisional suspension on January 17 2020 and will be lifted at 11.59pm on January 16 2022.
      Diaby thanked fans for their support during his suspension in an open letter on the club website.

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      Diaby released an open letter to fans where he maintained his innocenceCredit: PA:Press Association
      He said: “I maintain my innocence, something the FA have acknowledged themselves but I must handle this decision with my family and look forward to a brighter future.
      “I was welcomed with open arms by staff, players and the whole community of Barnsley. I made this place my home and was looking forward to many years playing for the town and its people.”
      Barnsley released a statement explaining their decision to part ways with Diaby was ‘regretful’.
      They said: “The FA Anti-Doping Regulation mandate a two-year ban where an individual is unable to show that they meet the strict requirements to sustain a plea of No Fault or Negligence, or No Significant Fault or Negligence.

      “Despite making sincere efforts to identify the source of the prohibited substance, Bambo Diaby has been unable to do so.
      “Because of this, a two-year mandatory ban has been imposed by World Anti-Doping Agency and the FA. Bambo Diaby was not found guilty of knowingly ingesting a banned substance.
      “Both Bambo Diaby and Barnsley FC have been honest and compliant throughout the process. However, following the outcome, regretfully Bambo Diaby’s contract has been consensually terminated.”

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      Government demands for Premier League to hand EFL £250m bail-out slammed by MPs and two ex-FA chairman

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      GOVERNMENT demands for Premier League clubs to pay the £250million EFL bail-out have been criticised by MPs and two former FA chairmen.
      Lord Triesman and Greg Dyke are among the signatories to the letter, written by Tory MP Damian Collins.

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      The Premier League are being called on by the Government to provide the £250m bail-out the EFL needsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      And in a stinging rebuke of Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the group says it is the Government, and not Premier League clubs, who must be responsible for keeping the lower tiers of English football alive.
      They say: “We understand that you had hoped that the Premier League clubs might make a significant additional contribution to support the EFL.
      “Whilst this would be welcome, those clubs too face swingeing losses from lost ticketing receipts and falling revenues from broadcasting matches.
      “However, it cannot be the Premier League’s sole responsibility to sort out issues arising from Government policy.

      “The Government itself needs to take responsibility or many already-embattled towns – often in areas of the country which have suffered many hardships in recent decades – will lose their last focal point.”
      Triesman – Wembley head from 2008 to 2010 – and Dyke, who ran the FA between 2013 and 2016, are powerful voices with strong political connections.
      Along with Collins, recently deposed as chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, the other Westminster signatories featured four Tory MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green as well as Labour’s Kevin Brennan and Clive Betts.
      Others signing the letter included National League vice-president Lord Faulkner, Malcolm Clarke of the Football Supporters Association and Robbie Savage.

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      Many EFL and non-league clubs are at risk of going out of business as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with no fans in groundsCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Former FA chairman Greg Dyke was among the signatories on a letter criticising the Government’s treatment of the EFL Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dowden further infuriated League chiefs by his weekend assertion that top-flight clubs should “help poorer clubs rather than spend huge amounts of money hiring a new striker”.
      Now, though, he has been put on the back foot by the letter, which will be welcomed by League bosses.
      The group added that it had previously advised the Government of the issues faced by the EFL as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
      They added: “Clubs have been able to sustain themselves through advance season ticket sales, solidarity payments from the Premier League, and had agreed to start playing the new season in the belief that fans would be allowed to return to stadiums this autumn.
      “It’s now clear that spectators will not be back in EFL grounds, even in limited numbers, for the foreseeable future.
      “As a consequence clubs will not only lose this budgeted for income, but will also have to refund season tickets to fans who will now be prevented from attending matches.
      “It’s clear that the Government has no current proposals to provide financial support, and nor is it prepared to offer any guarantees for the future.
      “Without any plans being made to rescue football clubs, many in the EFL and others in the National League as well, are now actively preparing to make all but essential staff redundant, cease playing, close down their youth academies and community foundations, and put their business into administration.

      “This could lead not only to the failure of many historic community clubs, but the collapse of the national league structure that we have known for over one hundred years.
      “There is still time to act, but not long left.
      “The Government made £1.5billion available to rescue arts and cultural organisations across the country that faced closure because of the coronavirus.
      “We believe that football, like other well-loved professional sports in this country, is also a cultural activity.
      “We would ask that the government now make clear what financial support it’s prepared to give before it is too late.
      “In order for clubs to sustain themselves over the winter and keep playing, they would need to be compensated for the loss of match ticket sales.
      “The absence of this income is not a result of their actions, but the policies that have been put in place by the government in response to a public health emergency.”

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      FA clear Fleetwood staff for Akinfenwa ‘fat water buffalo’ jibe as PFA say ‘white player wouldn’t be described this way’

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      WYCOMBE and the PFA have slammed FA disciplinary beaks after no charges were brought against the Fleetwood staff member who called Adebayo Akinfenwa a “fat water buffalo”.
      PFA chiefs claimed that the FA had failed in its duty to Akinfenwa, who is understood to be upset and unhappy about the decision.

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      The Fleetwood staff member who described Adebayo Akinfenwa as a ‘fat water buffalo’ has escaped punishment from the FACredit: PA:Press Association

      The PFA said: “It is abundantly clear that a white player with a similar stature to Akinfenwa would never be described in the way he was during this incident.
      “Black people have battled dehumanisation for centuries, and the PFA strongly condemns the use of all disparaging remarks that compare black players to animals.”
      The decision followed a two-month probe into the incident at the League One play-off second leg in July.
      A member of the Fleetwood technical staff made the comment to a match official during the game.

      Wycombe made a formal complaint to the FA in the days after the match and the investigation found: “The witness accounts all confirmed the use of the term “water buffalo” or “buffalo”.”
      Two of the match officials reported “they had not interpreted the words to be discriminatory” and were descriptions of Akinfenwa’s playing style.
      As part of the inquiry, the FA commissioned a report from an independent expert in race relations, who “concluded that the words were not objectively racist”.
      While commending Akinfenwa’s “courage and conviction” and conceding the offence that was caused, the FA stated it was “not satisfied there is sufficient evidence” to lay a charge.

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      The striker played a crucial role in helping Wycombe get promoted to the Championship last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the outcome caused fury at Wycombe and PFA headquarters.
      Wycombe blasted: “The failure of the FA to act is disappointing. The investigation confirms that the language was used. There is no place in sport for such comments.
      “The Club believes the FA had the opportunity to take appropriate steps to ensure the conduct was punished appropriately and to make sure that everyone knows that this type of comment will not be tolerated in the future.”
      And the PFA added: “This type of hurtful, derogatory language is unacceptable, regardless of intent.
      “Adebayo showed great courage in coming forward to report this incident, which tarnished what should have been a night of celebration for Wycombe Wanderers.
      “This incident demonstrates that bias extends to problematic language casually used on our pitches and in the dugouts.
      “We share Adebayo’s disappointment that this allegation will not be upheld, especially since he took steps to speak publicly about the incident’s emotional impact.
      “We are in contact with Adebayo, and will continue to offer him our support.”

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      England release damning statement and FA probe over Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden breaking Covid rule to sneak girls in

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      THE FA have issued a damning statement and will launch a “full investigation” after Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood broke England’s coronavirus protocol.
      The pair have been dumped from the Three Lions squad after inviting two girls to the team hotel in Iceland, violating Covid rules.

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      The FA have issued a damning statement after Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were axed from the England squad
      Footage has since emerged of two giggling Icelandic girls asking the stars how they would sneak them into the hotel.
      And FA chiefs have slammed the pair and confirmed they will launch a probe into the incident.
      In a statement, an FA spokesperson said: “Whilst in Iceland, both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area, which was a breach of our COVID-19 rules.

      “While they did not leave the team hotel, it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol. They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement.
      “The FA will be launching a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to this breach.
      “We have spoken to the Football Association of Iceland to offer our apologies for this incident and to ensure them that we are taking the appropriate steps.
      “We have also assured the Danish Football Union that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period.

      “Our immediate priority now is preparing the team for the match against Denmark tomorrow.”

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      A video of the phone conversation between two Icelandic girls and Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden has emerged Credit: Twitter

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      The two girls could be heard giggling as they plotted with the stars on how they would get into the team hotel

      The duo both made their international debuts in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Iceland but have now been kicked out of the squad after breaching the coronavirus guidelines yesterday.
      Boss Gareth Southgate confirmed the ‘naive’ duo would be sent home.
      The pair have not yet left the country as they each face a £1,360 fine from Icelandic police for a legal breach of Covid restrictions.

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      The pair will not travel with the England to Denmark and will instead return to ManchesterCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Phil Foden is still in a relationship with long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke

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      Gareth Southgate confirmed today both players had been kicked out of his squadCredit: PA:Press Association

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      MP calls for Euro 2021 games at Wembley to be played nationwide to aid Britain’s Covid recovery

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      EURO Championship games due to be played at Wembley should be staged around Britain to boost the coronavirus recovery nationwide, according to a leading MP.
      Next year’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament will see three England games, a last 16 match, both semi finals and the final played at the national stadium, but acting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has written to the FA and UEFA to have the games played across the UK.
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      An MP believes the Euro Championship games at Wembley should be staged around Britain to boost other regionsCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey told The Sun: ‘Let these matches give a kick-start to places hit hard by Covid’Credit: The Mega Agency
      They are calling for games to be played at St James’ Park, in Newcastle, Old Trafford, in Manchester, Anfield, in Liverpool, and Leicester’s King Power stadium instead.
      Sir Ed told The Sun: “We should spread football cheers around our country, and let these matches give a kick-start to places hit hard by Covid.
      “If it is safe, I want Boris Johnson to get his Government to work with UEFA and make use of the fantastic stadiums around the country. Let’s show off our whole country – we’re proud of every town and city, not just London.”

      The letter, to FA Chief Mark Bullingham, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Sport can be a great healer to many and the rescheduled Men’s Euro 2020 fixtures next summer will be a tremendous opportunity to raise both the nation’s spirits and stimulate the economy across the nation.
      “Currently England are scheduled to play all their group games in London. Wembley is also hosting a last 16 game, the semi-finals and final.

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      Next year’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament will see three England games played at the national stadiumCredit: Alamy

      “England has some fantastic stadia across the country and it feels like a missed opportunity not to spread the joy that these games will bring and the inevitable boost to the economy around the regions.
      “If it can be done, in a safe way, I’d urge you to work with UEFA to explore the possibility at spreading both the Euro 2020 fixtures and England’s warm-up games out around the country, in the same way that you have been able to do with the Women’s European Championship in 2022.”

      Yesterday the FA said Euro scheduling was down to UEFA, and the governing body did not reply to comment.

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