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Campaign groups criticise Premier League backing for Richard Scudamore Campaign groups criticise Premier League backing for Richard Scudamore
(about 3 hours later)
Campaign groups Women in Football and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation have expressed surprise and disappointment at the Premier League’s decision to take no further action against its chief executive Richard Scudamore over sexist emails.Campaign groups Women in Football and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation have expressed surprise and disappointment at the Premier League’s decision to take no further action against its chief executive Richard Scudamore over sexist emails.
Women In Football, an umbrella organisation representing over 1,000 women in the game at all levels, said it was “disappointed that the Premier League has missed a significant opportunity to demonstrate a strong commitment to equality in the workplace”. Women In Football, an umbrella organisation representing more than 1,000 women in the game at all levels, said it was “disappointed that the Premier League has missed a significant opportunity to demonstrate a strong commitment to equality in the workplace”.
It said it would be “extremely difficult” for women to be reassured that the issue had been addressed properly and that it was “irresponsible” of the Premier League to dismiss the issue without taking independent expert advice.It said it would be “extremely difficult” for women to be reassured that the issue had been addressed properly and that it was “irresponsible” of the Premier League to dismiss the issue without taking independent expert advice.
“We renew our call for an independent inquiry into this matter. We believe it is imperative that any conclusions reached by the Premier League are done so through the means of an objective audit in which employees are given the opportunity to express their views anonymously to an independent body,” said Women in Football.“We renew our call for an independent inquiry into this matter. We believe it is imperative that any conclusions reached by the Premier League are done so through the means of an objective audit in which employees are given the opportunity to express their views anonymously to an independent body,” said Women in Football.
A WiF survey earlier this year found that more than two thirds of women working in football at all levels had experienced sexist discrimination.A WiF survey earlier this year found that more than two thirds of women working in football at all levels had experienced sexist discrimination.
“We are additionally concerned that the ‘extensive consultations’ with women in the football industry, cited in the Premier League’s statement, did not extend to Women in Football, despite our position in representing over 1,000 women working across the sport,” it added.“We are additionally concerned that the ‘extensive consultations’ with women in the football industry, cited in the Premier League’s statement, did not extend to Women in Football, despite our position in representing over 1,000 women working across the sport,” it added.
The 17 current Premier League clubs – the three promoted clubs are not formally admitted until next month – decided on Monday to accept Scudamore’s apology over the emails and take no further action. The 17 Premier League clubs – the three promoted clubs are not formally admitted until next month – decided on Monday to accept Scudamore’s apology over the emails and take no further action.
It is understood that they were connected to the meeting by conference call and told by acting Premier League chairman Peter McCormick, who oversaw the investigation, of the recommended course of action.It is understood that they were connected to the meeting by conference call and told by acting Premier League chairman Peter McCormick, who oversaw the investigation, of the recommended course of action.
McCormick said that after an investigation that included an “extensive” trawl of documents and emails, no evidence could be found of a wider culture of sexism at the organisation.McCormick said that after an investigation that included an “extensive” trawl of documents and emails, no evidence could be found of a wider culture of sexism at the organisation.
Rani Abraham, the former temporary PA who leaked Scudamore’s sexist jokes and remarks about a female colleague, has said the ruling “felt like a whitewash”.Rani Abraham, the former temporary PA who leaked Scudamore’s sexist jokes and remarks about a female colleague, has said the ruling “felt like a whitewash”.
“It sends out a very damaging message as to how women are regarded in football and in the workplace in general. It shows we still have to go a very long way before women are treated equally,” said Abraham. “It sends out a very damaging message as to how women are regarded in football and in the workplace in general. It shows we still have to go a very long way before women are treated equally,” Abraham said.
Scudamore, the most powerful man in English football, has come under increasing pressure since the Sunday Mirror published leaked emails that had been seen by the former PA. He has reiterated his apology and promised to work hard to prove his commitment to equality and diversity.Scudamore, the most powerful man in English football, has come under increasing pressure since the Sunday Mirror published leaked emails that had been seen by the former PA. He has reiterated his apology and promised to work hard to prove his commitment to equality and diversity.
The attempt to draw a line in the sand is unlikely to quell the row. The Football Association’s inclusion board is due to meet on Tuesday to consider whether the game’s governing body should reverse its decision not to get involved. The attempt to end the matter is unlikely to quell the row. The Football Association’s inclusion board is due to meet on Tuesday to consider whether the game’s governing body should reverse its decision not to get involved.
One member of the board, Edward Lord, has obtained legal opinion suggesting that the FA was wrong to say last week that it had no jurisdiction over the matter because the email exchanges were private.One member of the board, Edward Lord, has obtained legal opinion suggesting that the FA was wrong to say last week that it had no jurisdiction over the matter because the email exchanges were private.
“Following the Premier League verdict on this incident we now look to the FA as the game’s governing body to act appropriately, pending discussions and recommendations from its Inclusion and Advisory Board meeting this afternoon,” said Women in Football.“Following the Premier League verdict on this incident we now look to the FA as the game’s governing body to act appropriately, pending discussions and recommendations from its Inclusion and Advisory Board meeting this afternoon,” said Women in Football.
In the original exchange, Scudamore warned Nick West, a City lawyer who works with the Premier League on broadcasting deals, to keep a female colleague they nicknamed Edna “off your shaft”. He also traded sexist jokes. West, who referred to women as “gash”, is now under investigation by his firm, DLA Piper.In the original exchange, Scudamore warned Nick West, a City lawyer who works with the Premier League on broadcasting deals, to keep a female colleague they nicknamed Edna “off your shaft”. He also traded sexist jokes. West, who referred to women as “gash”, is now under investigation by his firm, DLA Piper.
The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, which has campaigned relentlessly to increase the profile of women’s sport and improve diversity on the field of play and in boardrooms, said it was “surprised and disappointed” at the Premier League’s decision, which has also been criticised by equality body Kick It Out.The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, which has campaigned relentlessly to increase the profile of women’s sport and improve diversity on the field of play and in boardrooms, said it was “surprised and disappointed” at the Premier League’s decision, which has also been criticised by equality body Kick It Out.
“The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation is surprised and disappointed to learn that the Premier League ha​s chosen to take no action against their chief executive, Richard Scudamore, following the news of the sexist email exchange he engaged in which was brought to public attention last weekend,” said the chief executive Ruth Holdaway.“The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation is surprised and disappointed to learn that the Premier League ha​s chosen to take no action against their chief executive, Richard Scudamore, following the news of the sexist email exchange he engaged in which was brought to public attention last weekend,” said the chief executive Ruth Holdaway.
“Our concern rests particularly in the belief that the lack of response sends a negative message to women and girls; namely, that sexist comments from those in power in football go unpunished and that the sport is not for them.”“Our concern rests particularly in the belief that the lack of response sends a negative message to women and girls; namely, that sexist comments from those in power in football go unpunished and that the sport is not for them.”
She said she looked forward to meeting with the Premier League at the “earliest opportunity” to help facilitate a “root and branch review” of the organisation in order to ensure women and girls were not deterred from playing or working in football.She said she looked forward to meeting with the Premier League at the “earliest opportunity” to help facilitate a “root and branch review” of the organisation in order to ensure women and girls were not deterred from playing or working in football.