Pressure "was building on football's authorities to launch a full investigation into sexist remarks" by Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore, after senior figures from FIFA, Kick It Out and the FA's inclusion board "called for action," according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. Asian Football Confederation Vice-Chair Moya Dodd, who sits on FIFA's exec committee, said the game needed to "take sexism as seriously as we take racism." Former NBA player John Amaechi likened Scudamore's comments "to the racist remarks of the disgraced" NBA L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling. Dodd: "It is disappointing to see how women are spoken about when people think no one is listening or watching. This kind of discrimination shouldn't be tolerated and football should take the lead, as it has with fighting racism" (GUARDIAN, 5/13). REUTERS' Steve Tongue reported British Sports Minister Helen Grant described Scudamore's emails as "completely unacceptable.'' Grant: "I found the content of those emails completely unacceptable and very disappointing particularly at a time when there is so much good work and progress being made promoting women's sport" (REUTERS, 5/13). The BBC reported FA Chair Greg Dyke has indicated that the FA "would not be acting" over Scudamore's remarks. However, several members of the FA's Inclusion Advisory Board "are thought to be dismayed by the lack of action, especially as the FA is a 'special shareholder' in the Premier League, with the chairman or general secretary attending league meetings." Former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said Scudamore's comments were "unacceptable." IAB member Edward Lord and the Women in Football group "have both said the Premier League chief should consider his position" (BBC, 5/13).
DISCRIMINATION POLICY: In London, David Conn reported the Premier League's inaction over Scudamore "appears to be in breach of the league's own anti-discrimination policy." A model set of principles and promised firm action, "as you would expect of English football's showpiece league and its extensive good works in the community," it promises that "the League will not tolerate sexual or racially-based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and the board will ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate disciplinary action whenever it occurs" (GUARDIAN, 5/12).
