Leak 'disappoints' FA

The FA has described as ‘disappointing’ that the findings of an Independent Football Commission report had been leaked early.

The British government-backed report follows a year-long investigation into the English game and was set to be published next week.

An article in a British newspaper earlier today suggested the report will call for more ethnic minorities to be recruited into the game’s governing bodies - the FA, Football League and Premier League.

The FA, meanwhile, tonight issued a statement on its website, www.thefa.com, maintaining their commitment to promote equality within the game.

The statement read: “The FA is disappointed by the selective leaking of an Independent Football Commission report, due to be published next week.

“It is particularly disappointing, given the massive strides that English football has made to combat racism and promote equality of access to the game.

“English football is a recognised world leader in tackling racism, having been asked by FIFA to lead a debate on this topic at FIFA Congress in 2001 and having hosted UEFA conference on racism at Stamford Bridge last year

“The FA is one of the founding partners of the Kick It Out campaign and the chairman of The FA is leading a group aimed at identifying people from all walks of life who can participate in the administration of the game.

“Racism at English football grounds is widely recognised as having been reduced over the last 20 years and, whilst recognising that there is still much work to be done, the FA has already begun to make use of the tremendous talent that exists in the ethnic communities.

"It has recently appointed the highly-respected Brendon Batson to conduct a major disciplinary review.

“The IFC have acknowledged that English football leads Europe in promoting diversity.”

Through schemes such as its Ethics and Sports Equity strategy and working with the Football Foundation, the FA have helped invest in projects targeting ethnic groups, the statement stressed.

England players have also been proactive in the FA’s anti-racism campaign, while equity policies at a local level are developed through liaising with the regional county football associations and FA Charter Standard clubs.