The Football Association of England (FA), one of the most influential organizations in football, was rocked by a racist scandal.

Its chairman, Greg Clark, resigned after using a number of expressions that caused a negative reaction in British society.

The 63-year-old functionary served as head of English football for four years.

On Tuesday 10 November, Clarke spoke via video link to members of the UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee.

Talking about the state of football in the region, he used the expression “colored footballers”.

His comparison of South Asians and blacks from the Caribbean also caught public attention.

“If you go to the FA's IT department, you will see more South Asians than Afro-Caribbean.

They have different career interests, ”Clark said.

In his speech, the head of the FA said that "being gay is a life choice."

At the same time, the functionary suggested that the recognition of non-traditional orientation should meet with support within the teams.

Clarke also made a careless statement about the development of women's football.

He spoke about the coach's complaint that girls do not want to become goalkeepers, because they "do not like it when the ball is kicked in their direction."

Clark was quick to apologize for his words immediately.

Continuing to address members of Parliament, he stated that the term "colored" is common in the United States, where he had worked in the past.

“If I said so, then I offer my deep apologies.

Working abroad has greatly influenced me.

I worked for many years in the United States, where, due to local diversity laws and affirmative action format, I was sometimes required to use the term “people of color”.

Sometimes I get confused in words, ”Clarke thought to himself.

However, this did not help him avoid a scandal.

Clarke's remarks were soon denounced by the FA-sponsored anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out.

Its head, Sanjay Bhandari, said that Clarke made language that is not permissible to use today.

“I was terribly disappointed with Greg Clark's statements to the parliamentary committee today.

His use of outdated vocabulary to describe black and Asians with the word "colored" is something that came straight from the past decades, and it should remain in the dustbin of history.

Being gay is also not a "life choice" as he claimed.

The frivolous expression of sexism in the words that “girls” do not like being hit with force by the ball is overwhelming no matter who allows himself such expressions, not to mention the leader of our national sport.

This is totally unacceptable.

I was also concerned about the use of a narrow-minded racist stereotype about South Asians and their perceived career preferences, ”Bhandari said.

Some former football players also expressed dissatisfaction with Clark's words.

Former England and Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is outraged by how the functionary called the blacks.

“So the FA chief now calls us colored footballers.

Well, how should racism end with such and such people at the helm? ”- wrote Agbonlahor on Twitter.

So the fa chairman now calls us colored footballers 😭😭😭🤬🤬🤬 How will racism end with people like him at the top

- Gabriel Agbonlahor (@ officialga11) November 10, 2020

Former England and Liverpool player Stan Collymore was also unhappy with Clark's comments.

He noted that an indicator of racism is that other people do not see anything wrong with the words of the head of the FA.

“The most dramatic example of racial profiling you'll see.

And how many predominantly white men say “he's good, but just old, and he's not bad,” explains why racism is moving forward rather than retreating.

Some sort of excuse is always sought for that, ”said Collymore.

The clearest example of racial profiling that you will see.



And seeing so many particularly white men commenting "he's nice, he's just old, his heart is in the right place", is why racism is moving forward, not in retreat.



Always an excuse for it.



pic.twitter.com/E6GFJMoIt4

- Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) November 10, 2020

The FA also apologized for Clark's words and assured him that he understood the inadmissibility of using the word "colored".

However, this did not save him from the consequences.

On the same day, Clark resigned as chairman of the association.

He admitted that his words were disrespectful to everyone involved in football in England.

“As someone who loves football and has served it for decades, it will be right for me to put the interests of football first.

2020 was a challenging year, and I was thinking about leaving and making way for the new chairman after Mark Bullingham began to excel at being CEO.

My unacceptable words before parliament have done a disservice to our sport for those who watch, practice, judge and direct it.

This prompted me to decide to move on.

I am deeply saddened to have offended the many different communities in football that I and others have tried so hard to involve in it.

I want to thank my friends and fellow gamers for the wisdom and advice they have given me over the years and leave my post as head of the FA immediately, ”Clark said in a statement.

Sports attorney Peter McCormick will temporarily be the acting FA chairman.

In the near future, the FA Council will begin the process of finding a new person who will take the position of heads of English football.

Clark continues to serve as Vice President of the International Football Federation (FIFA).

He holds this post as the representative of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) on the FIFA Council until 2023.