Greg Clarke Quits as FA Chairman After 'Unacceptable' Comments

Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has quit his role after he made a number of inappropriate and disturbing remarks when talking to MPs about diversity on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old was talking via video link to members of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday regarding diversity.

He made reference to 'coloured footballers' while talking and apologised after he was asked to by another MP. Clarke also referred to the high number of British Asians working in the FA’s IT department, while further suggesting that being gay was a 'life choice'.

Additionally, Clarke also claimed that young female footballers did not like having a football hit hard at them.

Clarke has now confirmed on the FA's official website that he has stood down from his role after making these 'unacceptable' remarks.

"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...my unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallised my resolve to move on.

"I am deeply saddened that I have offended 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 further FA statement added: "We can confirm that Greg Clarke has stepped down from the role as FA Chairman.

"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."