THE chairman of the British Football Association (FA) Greg Clarke has resigned after using the term “colored” to describe footballers from different ethnic backgrounds.

Clarke was criticized after saying people from South Asian and African-Caribbean backgrounds had “different career interests” from each other.

And he drew complaints for saying a coach had told him the lack of women’s goalkeepers was due to girls not liking the ball being kicked at them.

In a statement, the FA said: “We can confirm that Greg Clarke has stepped down from his role as our chairman.

“Peter McCormick will step into the role as interim FA chairman with immediate effect and the FA Board will begin the process of identifying and appointing a new chair in due course.”

Clarke admitted his comments in front of MPs were “unacceptable” and “a disservice to our game,” adding: “I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include.”

In his controversial remarks, Clarke said: “If I look at what happens to high-profile female footballers, to high-profile colored footballers, and the abuse they take on social media... social media is a free-for-all.”

(SD-Agencies)