An ex-referee of the Premier League was accused of saying to a black colleague that he looked rather tanned and then asking him: “Have your been down a mine?” An accusation of historical racism has been filed against him.
David Elleray is the FA chair and the technical director for the International Football Association Board (Ifab). He is also said to have commented on Rob McCarthy’s 2014 comments.
After the comments first came to light at the time, Elleray apologised and took an equality and diversity training course after being reminded of the FA Council Code of Conduct.
However, a complaint of historic racism has now been lodged with the FA, according to inews.
David Elleray (pictured sending off Wayne Rooney as a child in 2002) was one the most prominent referees of the Premier League.
He retired in 2014. In 2014, he received an MBE for his services to football. He was the chairman of FA’s referee board and also served as advisor at Fifa and Uefa.
Fears of retribution have led to the anonymity of the whistleblower who attended the St George’s Park conference.
The complaint is now being investigated by independent investigators to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, Elleray’s conduct and the handling thereof.
At the Premier League’s 1992 inception, the 67 year-old referee was perhaps the most prominent in the country.
He continued to officiate the highest flight from 2003 until 2003.
He retired in 2014. In 2014, he received an MBE for his services to football.
Elleray, who was a teacher at Harrow School for over 30 years after studying geography at Oxford and earned a reputation as being schoolmasterly on the pitch. He currently serves on three FA committees.
He serves as the chair of the referees committee and is a National Game representative to the Football Regulatory Authority.
A spokesperson for the FA told inews that they had investigated David Elleray’s inappropriate remarks in 2014. They found that Elleray violated the code of conduct as set forth by the FA Council Members. Unreservedly, he apologised for his actions.
“Nevertheless, Mr Elleray was compelled to complete mandatory diversity and inclusion training, and reminded of his FA Council member responsibilities.
FA said it would continue to implement a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination. It also stated it would thoroughly investigate all allegations and take appropriate action if necessary.
Elleray was contacted by Ifab to receive a reply, however they declined.