Richard Scudamore should consider his position, says FA's Heather Rabbatts
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Version 0 of 1. Richard Scudamore should consider his position in light of "growing evidence of a closed culture of sexism" at the Premier League, the Football Association's independent board member Heather Rabbatts has stated. Scudamore and the Premier League have encountered a growing tide of criticism, with a number of England women internationals calling for action against the league's chief executive over sexist emails that he sent to a lawyer friend. Now Rabbatts, who also chairs the FA's inclusion advisory board (IAB), which is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the case, has issued a statement saying there is a lack of good governance in the league and a culture at the top that "demeans women" and discourages them from being part of football administration. Rabbatts said: "No one can doubt the tremendous achievements of the Premier League in creating one of the world's great footballing competitions. But with that success and the massive public interest it generates comes the obligation to behave responsibly and have in place proper lines of accountability and good governance. "Sadly, recent events appear to show that these things are currently lacking in the administration of the Premier League and indeed there is growing evidence of a closed culture of sexism, symbolised in the email exchanges which have been made public. "It is increasingly clear that steps are needed as a matter of urgency to review governance at the Premier League, with a view to improving accountability and tackling head on a culture that demeans women and seems to discourage their involvement in the game's administration. "These challenges go beyond the current situation of chief executive Richard Scudamore, however, if the League are to move forward in a positive way then he and they should give serious consideration to his position in the coming days." Rabbatts said it was important for the women's game that changes were made. She added: "I personally hope that progress can be made on all of these fronts, so that we can feel confident that the leaders of football are accountable for their actions and support a culture that genuinely welcomes the participation of women and girls in our national game." Sponsor Barclays has expressed its disappointment to the Premier League, which has raised the stakes before a meeting of the league's audit and remuneration committee, chaired by the Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, on Monday to discuss the case. Buck's involvement has also raised questions because he is known to be a friend and shooting partner of Scudamore's. The Premier League is reported to have brought in Milltown Partners public relations agency to advise it on handling the crisis – and it also reported that the PR company works for Chelsea, too. Meanwhile, England women internationals have added their voice to the criticism. The Everton women's goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said the emails were an "insult to all women" and that Scudamore should be sanctioned, while the former England captain Casey Stoney said his position was now "difficult". |