Heather Rabbatts withdraws from FIFA Task Force

Monday 01 Jun 2015
FA Board member Heather Rabbatts

FA Board member and chair of the Inclusion Advisory Board Heather Rabbatts has issued a statement following the events of the last week regarding FIFA.

"I am withdrawing with immediate effect from the FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination. 

"This has not been an easy decision as I believe the challenges facing FIFA on the issue of racism and discrimination are very significant, particularly in relation to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and whilst FIFA has not taken these issues seriously in the past, progress has recently been made. 

"However, my willingness to play a part in the development of policies in this area is outweighed by the disastrous effect on FIFA's reputation of recent events.

"Like many in the game, I find it unacceptable that so little has been done to reform FIFA. 

"It is clear from the re-election of President Blatter that the challenges facing FIFA and the ongoing damage to the reputation of football's world governing body are bound to continue to overshadow and undermine the credibility of any work in the anti-racism arena and beyond.

"My commitment to challenging discrimination across the game remains undiminished and I will continue to work with The FA and other international partners on this fundamental issue in our game."

By FA Staff