Pressure is "mounting" on FA execs to "step down over their handling of the Eniola Aluko racism row," according to Matt Majendie of the London EVENING STANDARD. Damian Collins, chair of the U.K. Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee which "grilled" FA Chair Greg Clarke and CEO Martin Glenn on Wednesday, questioned whether they were the "right people" to lead the organization. Collins also called on the FA to "immediately pay" the £40,000 ($52,600) owed to former England striker Aluko, who was "damning in her evidence" on Wednesday about her case’s handling by the FA. Collins: "You have to question whether they are the right people to lead forward the FA. It’s up to them right now. They have to recognize their failings and demonstrate they’re willing to change. If they can’t do that, they can’t move forward with that. At present, there’s a massive reluctance to put their hands up and admit they got things wrong." Glenn was accused by Aluko of actions "bordering on blackmail" amid allegations he suggested she would get the rest of her money, which was to compensate her for loss of future earnings, if she put out a statement saying the FA was not "inherently racist." When the suggestion of institutionalized racism within the FA was put to Clarke on Wednesday, he described that as "fluff." Collins "reacted angrily" and said, "These are very important issues and to dismiss them as fluff is incredible. Do they understand how serious these issues are and what needs to be done? This is not fluff. They need to get on top of some seriously fundamental issues." Aluko revealed that her second half of the £80,000 ($105,200) settlement agreed to "avoid going to an employment tribunal" over her allegations against former England women's team Manager Mark Sampson had been withheld for an "apparent breach of contract" relating to a tweet she "put out." Glenn denied he suggested she change her statement to say the FA was not a racist organization but refused to say that the remaining £40,000 would be paid. Collins: "They should pay up. Eni has been through a very tough process and for the FA to come out at the end of it and be so heavy-handed about a tweet, saying they're withholding the money. That shows their total disregard for her." There is "not thought to be pressure" from U.K. Sports Minister Tracey Crouch to replace the current FA hierarchy, although she is said to be "watching their response in the coming weeks before making any further statement" (EVENING STANDARD, 10/19).
HITTING BACK: The BBC reported the FA was accused of "ignoring issues" raised by discriminatory race remarks made by Sampson. Professional Footballers' Association CEO Gordon Taylor made the comments after his own organization was criticized by Clarke. Taylor said, "They didn't listen to her then. They're still not listening." Clarke said, "The PFA spends millions of pounds a year on the CEO's salary and pension and they are walking way from alcoholics, from addicted gamblers. I will never look up to their governance, though I respect their people." Taylor said that was an attempt to deflect criticism and "was so unprofessional it was amazing" (BBC, 10/19).
PICKED APART: In London, Matt Dickinson wrote this was "never going to be a good day for the FA" but by the time Glenn was fending off an accusation from Aluko of "blackmail" and Clarke was backtracking for describing issues of institutional racism as "fluff," the leadership was "piling up fresh problems." And "they were already up to their necks." Clarke's pitch as a "straight shooter" and Glenn's as an assured and experienced operator were "looking as wobbly" as an England defense (LONDON TIMES, 10/19).
