The FA "has restated its position that it cannot take action" against the Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore "despite some calls for him to be charged for sending sexist emails," according to the PA. FA Chair Greg Dyke met Premier League Chair Peter McCormick on Tuesday "for talks over the issue." One member of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, equality campaigner Edward Lord, "has obtained a legal opinion that the FA could take disciplinary action but Dyke reaffirmed that will not take place" (PA, 5/20). The SUNDERLAND ECHO reported Sunderland CEO Margaret Byrne "backed the Premier League's decision" to keep Scudamore at the helm. Byrne: "Following on from the statement released by the Premier League, I wholeheartedly endorse the decision made today and I am delighted that common sense has prevailed. Richard made a mistake, for which he apologized both swiftly and unreservedly." West Ham Vice Chair Karren Brady insisted Scudamore "is categorically not sexist," but said that she was "disappointed to learn of the emails he had sent." Brady: "He has served not only the Premier League, but the wider game over the last 17 years and very few have done more, in my opinion, to open up football, to support women in the game and take the whole anti-discrimination agenda forward" (SUNDERLAND ECHO, 5/20).
MORE BACKLASH: In London, Owen Gibson reported campaign groups Women in Football and the Women's Sport & Fitness Foundation "have expressed surprise and disappointment" at the Premier League’s decision not to take action against Scudamore. Women In Football said it was “disappointed that the Premier League has missed a significant opportunity to demonstrate a strong commitment to equality in the workplace," adding, "We renew our call for an independent inquiry into this matter." Scudamore's former personal assistant Rani Abraham, who leaked Scudamore’s sexist jokes and remarks about a female colleague, has said the ruling “felt like a whitewash” (GUARDIAN, 5/20).
EPL'S LEGAL THREAT: The PA reported Abraham claimed that "she has been threatened with legal action" by the Premier League. Abraham said that she "received lawyers' letters" after taking the emails to the Sunday Mirror and was herself "now considering taking legal action against the organisation." Abraham: "When I approached the Mirror I received a letter from the Premier League's lawyers threatening legal action. They said there had been a breach of trust. It was a very threatening letter. I have had a couple now, and I believe the Premier League are trying to scare me" (PA, 5/20).
