The only female director within England’s Football Association has implied the Premier League’s chief executive should consider resigning his position, with Heather Rabbatts saying the emails leaked to London’s Sunday Mirror highlight a “culture of sexism” within the league.
Rabbatts, an independent director within The FA, spoke our after the publication of emails from Richard Scudamore brought sexist remarks from the Premier League’s top executive to light. Describing woman as irrational during as exchange with a Manchester City lawyer, Scudamore labeled the Chinese government “clever” for population control policies that have led to infanticide and unreported births of female children.
Two days ahead of an audit and remuneration committee meeting that could decide Scudamore’s future, Rabbatts’ comments have increased pressure on the now embattled chief. From The Guardian:
Rabbatts, a former chair of Millwall and a former BBC governor, said that despite its commercial success the Premier League had abdicated its responsibility 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,” she added.
Rabbatts went on to call the need for a review “a matter of urgency” if the Premier League”s to improve accountability and begin addressing a culture that “demeans” women.
At this point, Scudamore’s removal seems a matter of time, but for anybody willing to chalk up the chief’s words as the mere product of an email leak, Rabbatts underscores the attitude’s severe effect on how the league operates.
“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.”
On Monday, a committee comprised by Chelsea’s Bruce Buck (chairman), Stoke’s Peter Coates, Manchester United’s David Gill, and Blackburn’s John Williams will consider the recommendation it will make to the league’s 20 clubs. According to an administrator within The FA, Scudamore’s position is already considered “untenable.”
More from Rabbatts:
“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.”
