English FA 'letting down black players' says board member Heather Rabbatts

Heather Rabbatts is a Non Executive Director of the FA, t (GETTY)

The English Football Association has been accused by one of its own board members of “letting down so many black and ethnic minority people” after setting up an all-white commission to improve the fortunes of England's national team.

Heather Rabbatts, who was born in Jamaica and is of mixed race, broke ranks by writing a letter to fellow board members criticizing the lack of diversity on the commission.

Rabbatts says in the letter "the opportunity to lead an informed debate on the future of English players has been singularly damaged" and says the lack of diversity "has exposed the FA at a vital moment."

Among the people joining FA chairman Greg Dyke on the commission will be former England players Glenn Hoddle and Danny Mills, and ex-Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson.

AP