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'Frustrated' Heather Rabbatts resigns from FA

Eamonn McCormack - The FA / The FA Collection / Getty

Heather Rabbatts, the first female non-executive director and board member of the Football Association has stepped down over frustrations with the lack of inclusiveness in the English game.

Rabbatts - a person of colour, who represents a rare minority within the organisation - is recognised as a trailblazer behind the scenes, but leaves the governing body with a warning that changes are needed to prevent a generation of black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) feeling unable to assume a position of authority in football.

She said she remains "frustrated at the lack of progress for BAME coaches," in a letter to FA chairman Greg Clarke obtained by BBC Sport.

New FA rules stipulate that the board will be reduced from 12 to 10 members by the beginning of the 2018-19 season, and that three of them will be women. Rabbatts' resignation means the FA now has to appoint three women in under 14 months.

"We are in danger of losing, yet again, another generation of ex-players and other BAME individuals," she said.

"I truly hope that you will be able to make real the wish felt by so many that, as the FA brand states, 'This game is for all.'"

Rabbatts notes there are positive signs under Clarke. One of the chairman's most insistent aims since taking the post in August 2016 is to try and make homosexuals feel comfortable enough to publicly come out in English football.

Related - FA chairman: Gay players are reluctant to talk with me

"We have made good progress but there is still much to be done," Rabbatts advised.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the first woman of colour on the Board of The FA."

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