FA ‘launches investigation into fresh allegations’ surrounding former Premier League referee David Elleray who was previously accused of telling a black colleague ‘you look rather tanned’, and asking him ‘Have you been down a coal mine?’
- David Elleray made comments at a conference at St George’s Park in 2014
- The ex-ref apologised and undertook an equality and diversity training course
- The FA have opened an investigation over new allegations surrounding Elleray
The Football Association have opened an investigation into the conduct of former Premier League referee David Elleray, according to inews.
It’s reported that a law firm commissioned by the FA will look into new allegations made against Elleray in January.
The 67-year-old is a former leading top-flight referee, is chair of the FA referees’ committee and as technical director at the International Football Association Board, holds a prominent position within the organisation which determines football’s rules.
Inews state that the FA has received correspondence from Martin Cassidy, the chief executive of charity Ref Support UK and a former employee in the FA’s referees department, including yet unproven allegations about Elleray from former staff members.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham is said to have responded to Cassidy explaining that in light of the issues raised, the governing body has commissioned a law firm to carry out an independent investigation which will begin in January.
After retiring, he was made an MBE in 2014 for services to football, at which time he was chairman of the FA’s referee committee and held advisory roles at both UEFA and FIFA
Elleray was previously accused of telling a black colleague ‘you look rather tanned’, asking him ‘Have you been down a coal mine?,’ while at a referee’s conference at St George’s Park in 2014.
The FA said at the time it did not receive a complaint but investigated it when allegations emerged in the press and found Elleray was in breach of the FA Council Code of Conduct.
Elleray apologised and took an equality and diversity training course after being reminded of the FA Council Code of Conduct.
However, it’s also said that a member of FA staff who witnessed the comments attempted to complain about the incident but that it went no further despite their claims.
While the independent investigation will not re-examine the case, if new facts about the incident emerge it will form part of the wider investigation.
David Elleray, pictured sending off a young Wayne Rooney in 2002, was one of the most-recognised referees in the Premier League
Elleray was arguably the most well-known referee in the country at the Premier League’s inception in 1992.
He went on to officiate in the top flight until 2003, also taking charge of an FA Cup final and more than 70 international matches.
In the same year as the alleged incident at St George’s Park, Elleray was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to football.
The 67-year-old also spent 13 years as President of the Referees’ Association, a role he retired from in 2017.
Inews reported that attempts were made to contact Elleray via the FA and ifab but he did not respond, while the FA declined to comment.