Tyrone Mings Speaks Out After Greg Clarke Resigns For Controversial Comments

Tyrone Mings says it would be a "huge step" to have a black man or woman appointed FA chairman following Greg Clarke's resignation for his controversial comments.

Clarke stepped down from his role on Tuesday after using "unacceptable" language when referring to BAME players during a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.

The Aston Villa star faced questions from the media ahead of England's friendly match against Republic of Ireland, where he was asked what it would mean to have a black man or woman as chairman.

He said: "Of course it would be a huge step. That's what it would be.

"It would be I guess everything that a lot of people have worked for. A lot of people more senior than myself. A lot of people who have been fighting for this cause for a lot longer than myself.

"But ultimately that isn't what we're asking for. We're not necessarily asking for the next chairman or chief to be black.

"What we're asking for is equal opportunities for both black and white people, or ethnic minorities."

Clarke would later apologise for his remarks and the FA released a statement after the hearing.

However, the 63-year-old resigned as chairman, saying that his "unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice" to those involved with football.

Image: PA

Image: PA

Mings continued: "So the opportunities to be equal, the candidates themselves to be rightly qualified for the job because I don't think anybody would want the job - whether you were black or white - if you weren't qualified for it and you weren't well equipped to be successful in that role.

"So, we're not necessarily asking for that as a sign of, 'we've made it now' or, 'this is what we're fighting for.'

"What we're asking for really is equal opportunities for everybody to have a fair crack of the whip.

"Absolutely [the goal is to have more representation at managerial and coaching levels]. I don't think that's bad for the game whatsoever.

"Like I said, it's not necessarily the stuff that you can see, it's not necessarily the visual stuff. It's not necessarily the black people stood on the side. It's about how they got there.

"It's about the pathways that they have, it's about the equal opportunity that they have to get those jobs.

"I think that's what we're trying to create with the code and I think that's what will give us real lasting change.

"There's no point placing someone there, them failing and then saying, 'Oh, we tried.'

"It's about how can we improve the process."

England take on Republic of Ireland on Thursday before Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Iceland.

Topics: Football News, Aston Villa, Football, Tyrone Mings, England

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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