FA launch review after committee found John Yems was not a 'conscious racist'

09 February 2023 , 07:39

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The FA have launched an internal review after the John Yems affair (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The Football Association have launched an internal review into their disciplinary procedures after John Yems was controversially described as not a "conscious racist".

Ex- Crawley boss Yems is currently serving an 18-month ban after a number of allegations were made against him by several footballers. He is alleged to have made "discriminatory comments" about ethnic origin, race, nationality, colour, gender and religion.

The FA outlined the alleged comments made by Yems in January, but an independent commission concluded he was not a "conscious racist". That led to public outrage due to the severity of the allegations, with the FA distancing themselves from that view.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the FA have responded to this outrage by launching an internal review. The governing body will assess how these independent panels are constructed - especially those which review cases of alleged discriminatory behaviour.

It is believed the FA are keen to introduce measures to refresh the pool of candidates eligible to be part of these independent panels. They are considering targeting footballers who have recently retired or are approaching retirement age.

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The FA also want more ex-players from the women's game and will place a greater emphasis on training panellists. There is a feeling within the organisation that disciplinary commissions needs to be modernised to ensure it is reflective of contemporary Britain.

Serious allegations were made against John Yems (Getty Images)

It is claimed there are members within the current commission pool who are concerned about having younger disciplinary panels, as they believe it could prove detrimental. Yet there is a shared belief something needs to change in the wake of the Yems debacle.

The independent commission reviewing Yems' case upheld 11 of the claims made against the disgraced manager. These included one which suggested Yems would say Arnold Schwarzenegger's name in such a way to emphasise the N-word.

He also allegedly referred to black members of his squad as "Zulu warriors" and is said to have told an Iraqi player that he "would probably blow up the stadium". Furthermore, it is claimed he referred to another player as having "a bomb in his bag".

There are more shocking allegations. Despite this, the independent commission concluded: "We have accepted that Mr Yems is not a conscious racist. If he were, an extremely lengthy, even permanent, suspension would be appropriate."

The FA soon distanced themselves from this view. A statement read: "The independent regulatory commission decided on an 18-month ban for the 12 charges which it upheld or was admitted. We had requested a longer ban.

"Based on the evidence presented to the commission, we fundamentally disagree with the independent panel’s finding that this was not a case of conscious racism. As a result, we are considering our legal options."

An anonymous footballer who has worked with Yems told Mirror Football: "It [alleged behaviour] was all the time. Normal behaviour - and he got away with it for so long.

"People say that there’s no place for racism in football but there must be because that person can get another job and work in football again next year, after he serves his ban. He’s been working in the game for 20, 25 years. People know him. They know what he's like. You don't start acting like this at 63 years of age."

Tom Blow