FA probe into ‘racist’ email

THE Football Association has launched an investigation into allegations of racism at its Bedfordshire branch after an email was allegedly circulated by its chief executive.

The H&P obtained a copy of a ‘joke’ email allegedly received and forwarded on by Peter Brown last Thursday from outraged sources close to the Bedfordshire FA, based in Dunstable, who have described it as ‘extremely offensive and racist’.

The allegations come just days after FA chiefs lodged a formal complaint to UEFA as several of the England national side’s black players were subjected to monkey noises by Bulgarian fans in Sofia on Friday.

None of our sources wished to be identified saying they feared they may be putting their own positions within the footballing community in jeopardy, but one angry recipient who has been forwarded the email said: “I understand he (Mr Brown) sent it out to at least one other person. It’s gone from there onto others in football such as me.

“I’m disgusted.

“It’s particularly disappointing that this sort of email has been forwarded on when the FA are currently pointing the finger at Bulgarian fans regarding racism and it is topical, with black managers grossly under represented in the game.

The email entitled ‘My wee Scottish dog (I love this)’, which showed an image of a black Scottie dog, was sent to Mr Brown’s work account and several others associated with amateur football in the county on Wednesday evening and is understood to have been forwarded by the chief executive the following morning.

Mr Brown, a member of the FA Council – a body chaired by Prince William which decides major FA policy – could only confirm that the matter is being investigated.

He told the H&P: “The matter is being investigated. I’m helping the FA with their investigation into the matter, and that’s all I can say.”

A spokesman for football’s anti-racism pressure group Kick It Out confirmed that the matter was with the FA.

The FA declined to comment yesterday afternoon.

Beds FA was founded in 1894 and runs a number of cups at different levels across Bedfordshire.

It claims a membership of more than 500 clubs in the county.

The Beds FA website read yesterday that the authority is currently working towards The Equality Standard, a framework aimed at helping organisations widen access to and reduce inequality in sport for under-represented minorities such as women, ethnic groups and disabled people.

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