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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Anti-racism campaigner Paul Elliott quits after discriminatory comment | Anti-racism campaigner Paul Elliott quits after discriminatory comment |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The anti-racism campaigner Paul Elliott has spoken of his regret after resigning from his posts at the Football Association for making a discriminatory comment in a text message. | |
| The FA's chairman David Bernstein said Elliott's position had become "untenable" after the former Chelsea player sent a racial insult to the former Charlton player Richard Rufus in a row over a failed business venture. Both Elliott and Rufus are black. | The FA's chairman David Bernstein said Elliott's position had become "untenable" after the former Chelsea player sent a racial insult to the former Charlton player Richard Rufus in a row over a failed business venture. Both Elliott and Rufus are black. |
| Elliott, who received the CBE for services to equality and diversity in football earlier this month, has also stepped down as a trustee of the campaign group Kick It Out. The 48-year-old served the FA on its judicial panel and as a nominated member of Uefa committees. | Elliott, who received the CBE for services to equality and diversity in football earlier this month, has also stepped down as a trustee of the campaign group Kick It Out. The 48-year-old served the FA on its judicial panel and as a nominated member of Uefa committees. |
| In a statement released through Kick It Out, referring to the SMS text message he had sent Rufus, Elliott acknowledged that he "used a term which is widely known as being derogatory to my own community". | |
| "I regret using it; it is inappropriate and not part of my everyday vocabulary. As an advocate of high standards of public behaviour, and integrity in public life, I know the use of this word sends out mixed messages and contradicts my position as a Kick It Out trustee. I will continue to be active in other projects in what I believe to be a true and just cause." | "I regret using it; it is inappropriate and not part of my everyday vocabulary. As an advocate of high standards of public behaviour, and integrity in public life, I know the use of this word sends out mixed messages and contradicts my position as a Kick It Out trustee. I will continue to be active in other projects in what I believe to be a true and just cause." |
| Elliott had been a Kick It Out trustee since 1996, two years after he was forced to end his career through injury. He played for Charlton, Luton and Aston Villa before spells in Italy with Pisa and Bari. He returned to the UK with Celtic and joined Chelsea in 1991. | Elliott had been a Kick It Out trustee since 1996, two years after he was forced to end his career through injury. He played for Charlton, Luton and Aston Villa before spells in Italy with Pisa and Bari. He returned to the UK with Celtic and joined Chelsea in 1991. |
| Bernstein paid tribute to his work but said the FA had to accept his resignation. "I am saddened by this turn of events. However, the use of discriminatory language is unacceptable regardless of its context and in effect made Paul's position untenable." | Bernstein paid tribute to his work but said the FA had to accept his resignation. "I am saddened by this turn of events. However, the use of discriminatory language is unacceptable regardless of its context and in effect made Paul's position untenable." |
| Kick It Out said in a statement: "We thank Paul for the key role he has played over the past 20 years, through his distinguished unpaid work, loyalty and devotion in helping the campaign in all areas of its work. His commitment to the aims and objectives of Kick It Out has inspired others everywhere." | Kick It Out said in a statement: "We thank Paul for the key role he has played over the past 20 years, through his distinguished unpaid work, loyalty and devotion in helping the campaign in all areas of its work. His commitment to the aims and objectives of Kick It Out has inspired others everywhere." |
| • This article was edited on 3 February 2014 to remove an incorrect suggestion that it was Richard Rufus who made the SMS text public. | |
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