The U.K. government has been urged to "eradicate any racism in the FA" by investigating retired English footballer Sol Campbell's claims that "he would have captained England for longer had he been white," according to the PA. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport "has been asked to examine the former England defender's view that the colour of his skin stopped him captaining England for more than 10 years." Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs select committee, "made the request to DCMS in a motion." Campbell "has claimed the FA and the majority of fans do not want a black England captain." Campbell captained England three times in friendly matches, and he "labelled the appointment of Michael Owen as skipper ahead of him 'embarrassing.'" Former int'l teammates of Campbell, who played for Tottenham and Arsenal, among other clubs, "have rejected the claims, along with ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson." Campbell, in a new authorized biography serialized in the Sunday Times, had said, "I believe if I was white, I would have been England captain for more than 10 years -- it's as simple as that" (PA, 3/11).
SPEAKING OUT: In London, Mihir Bose wrote Campbell, who accused the FA of “institutional racism” in his biography, added, “It’s like what I’ve done for my England career doesn’t really add up for anything to them. If that’s how they think towards me, then fine. I’ll go elsewhere.” When Campbell decided to get his coaching badges 18 months ago, he "approached the Welsh FA after the perceived snub." Campbell: "I went to the Welsh FA because the English didn’t really welcome me. If they had I would be working with them" (EVENING STANDARD, 3/11).
