This morning’s Sunday Mirror revealed shocking remarks made by Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League and arguably English football’s most powerful leader. Scudamore’s private emails contain a series of totally inappropriate comments about female colleagues and other women which appear to completely undermine his credibility as an advocate for women’s football and draw into question… Continue reading Sexism in Football: “Should Scudamore face FA charges?” asks Inclusion Board Member
Author: C E Lord
Hughton: Possibly the right decision for Norwich, but definitely a disaster for football’s diversity
The decision to sack a manager is always one of the hardest for a football club board. How many matches without a win do we give him (and regrettably it is always ‘him’) before the axe falls? What will the fans’ and players’ reactions be? Who do we get to replace him in the short and… Continue reading Hughton: Possibly the right decision for Norwich, but definitely a disaster for football’s diversity
Another victory for the Lionesses, yet still women’s football remains vastly undervalued
Yesterday – Saturday 5 April 2014 – I had the privilege of watching England beat Montenegro 9-0 in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Brighton’s Amex Community Stadium. It was an exceptional match, full of entertaining and skillful football, played in a spirit of friendship and good humour. Despite the appearance of the scoreline,… Continue reading Another victory for the Lionesses, yet still women’s football remains vastly undervalued
See It. Hear It. Report It. FA films help rid football of discrimination.
We all want to feel welcome and safe at football matches, whether we are on the pitch, in the dugout, or in the stands. Anti-LGBT discrimination, be it ‘banter’ between players and coaches or more blatant chanting from spectators can often lead to us feeling uncomfortable or even threatened. As an FA disciplinary chair and… Continue reading See It. Hear It. Report It. FA films help rid football of discrimination.
Football: Time for tougher sanctions on fans who discriminate and the clubs that tolerate them?
Channel 4’s Dispatches programme broadcast on Monday evening, which focused on racist, antisemitic, Islamaphobic, and homophobic conduct by fans of a number of English football clubs has inevitably resulted in many friends and colleagues expressing horror about this misbehaviour and the damage it does to the reputation of our national game. Moreover people have turned to… Continue reading Football: Time for tougher sanctions on fans who discriminate and the clubs that tolerate them?
Gender diversity in the City: Lloyds Banking Group takes up Lord Mayor’s challenge
2014 is the year for promoting diversity in the Square Mile. The City’s second ever woman Lord Mayor, Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, (shamefully given there have been 686 holders of the office) has made the power of diversity one of her key themes. In launching the programme in her 686 Plan, Fiona says: The City… Continue reading Gender diversity in the City: Lloyds Banking Group takes up Lord Mayor’s challenge
Stonewall: a new dawn for the UK’s top LGBT equality campaign
Anyone who has read my blog on LGB&T issues may have noticed a scepticism in my tone about the work of Stonewall, the biggest and most influential equal rights campaign in the United Kingdom, this despite being listed by them amongst 17 LGB ‘Role Models’ in their publication of that name back in 2012. In… Continue reading Stonewall: a new dawn for the UK’s top LGBT equality campaign
UEFA’s ‘Respect’ must be more than a slogan: time to take action on racism and discrimination
Last night’s racist incidents at the Champion’s League match in Moscow between CSKA and Manchester City bring into sharp focus the need to make UEFA’s ‘Respect’ campaign more than just a slogan. Disciplinary action must be taken against clubs who allow their fans to behave in ways which discriminate against other fans, players, or members… Continue reading UEFA’s ‘Respect’ must be more than a slogan: time to take action on racism and discrimination
“Bisexuality does exist, it is not a fiction, nor is it a phase”, my key message to Civil Service equality conference
I had the privilege of giving a keynote address to today’s Civil Service Rainbow Alliance (the national LGB&T staff network) conference at the Ministry of Defence. Also on the programme were Sir Bob Kerslake, Head of the Civil Service; Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions; Liz Bingham, managing Partner at EY; and Peter Tatchell… Continue reading “Bisexuality does exist, it is not a fiction, nor is it a phase”, my key message to Civil Service equality conference
Leading increased participation in aquatics – Edward takes the Chair at the ASA
It has just been announced by the Amateur Swimming Association, the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water and Synchronised Swimming, that I have been appointed as non-executive chairman of the ASA Group Board, taking over from John Crowther at the AGM on October 19th. It is a real privilege to… Continue reading Leading increased participation in aquatics – Edward takes the Chair at the ASA
C. E. Lord OBE 