Greg Clarke resigns as FA Chairman after using unacceptable words in front of Parliament

The Football Association has confirmed its chairman Greg Clarke has stepped down from the role.

Clarke used the term “coloured footballers” in a reference to black players when talking to members of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee earlier today.

“As a person who loves football and has given decades of service to our game, it is right that I put the interests of football first,” Clarke said in a statement.

“2020 has been a challenging year and I have been actively considering standing down for some time to make way for a new Chair now our CEO transition is complete and excellent executive leadership under Mark Bullingham is established.

“My unacceptable words in front of Parliament was a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystalised my resolve to move on.

“I am deeply saddened that I have offered those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.

“I would like to thank my friends and colleagues in the game for the wisdom and counsel they have shared over the years and resign from the FA with immediate effect.”

A statement from The Football Association added: “Peter McCormick will step into the role as interim FA Chairman with immediate effect and the FA Board will begin the process of identifying and appointing a new Chair in due course.

“We would also like to reaffirm that as an organisation, we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to promote diversity, address inequality and tackle all forms of discrimination in the game.”

McCormick was appointed onto the Board and Council in August 2015 as a representative of the Premier League and also serves on the Professional Game Board, FA Challenge Cup Committee, Football Regulatory Authority, Nominations Committee, Council Membership and Appointments Committee and Remuneration Committee, the latter of which he chairs.

He is Chairman of the Legal Advisory Group of the Premier League and Chairman of the League’s Football Board, both Executive positions. Peter was Chairman of the Premier League in 2014-15.

McCormick chairs Tribunals and Appeals for the Premier League, Football Association and Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. He is Chairman of Football Stadia Improvement Fund Ltd and a trustee of the Football Foundation.

McCormick heads the Corporate and Commercial team at McCormicks Solicitors. He is an internationally recognised expert in Sports, Media and Entertainment Law. He is also a leading national figure in Charities Law and was awarded the OBE for services to charity in 2000. 

Clarke was appointed FA Chairman in 2016.

Visit The Football Association’s website: www.thefa.com