LONDON (AP) The English Football Association was accused by one of its own board members of "letting down so many black and ethnic minority people" after setting up an all-white commission to improve the fortunes of England's national team.
Heather Rabbatts, who was born in Jamaica and is of
mixed race, broke ranks by writing a letter to fellow board members criticizing the lack of diversity on the commission.
Rabbatts said in the letter "the opportunity to lead an informed debate on the future of English players has been singularly damaged," adding that the lack of diversity "has exposed the FA at a vital moment."
Eight people, including former England players Glenn Hoddle and Danny Mills and ex-Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson, have already been appointed to the commission with two or three more expected to join them in the coming weeks.
FA chairman Greg Dyke responded to Rabbatts in a statement published on the organization's website, saying he was "sorry that you felt that you had to make your concerns public."
