Michael Johnson Leaves Football Association Inclusion Advisory Board Role

[cheeky~k8]

Michael Johnson leaves Football Association Inclusion Advisory Board role

The Football Association have confirmed that Michael Johnson has stepped down from his role on their Inclusion Advisory Board with immediate effect.

The former Birmingham City and Derby County defender's position was heavily scrutinised after footage emerged of him describing homosexuality as 'detestable' in a television programme in 2012.

Consisting of 10 members including former Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux and 2013 Sportswomen Community Award winner Rimla Akhtar, the recently-assembled Board was due to meet for the first time in January.

Johnson, a devout Christian, looked set to remain on the Board initially, but explained the public backlash to his comments had forced him to reconsider his position.

"I've taken time over the weekend to reflect on the media coverage from last week and feel that it's in the best interests of all concerned if I step down from my duties with the Inclusion Advisory Board," said Johnson.

"My position on the Inclusion Advisory Board was voluntary and I've decided to use that time to continue my personal development and education within equality."

Heather Rabbatts, chair of the Inclusion Advisory Board, added: "It's unfortunate that Michael has decided to step down but he remains 100 per cent behind the aims of the Inclusion Advisory Board and is someone that we will be speaking to on a regular basis as we progress throughout this year and beyond.

"He has a wealth of experience in both domestic and international football and is carving out a coaching career with Birmingham City so he's someone that can bring vital expertise to the work of the Inclusion Advisory Board over time."

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I have a lot of respect for Michael Johnson, I was gutted to see him leave us as the youth team manager (academy). He's genuinely a nice bloke, down to earth and one of the most friendliest people I have ever met. However, I can't help but feel it's ironic (if true) - as I haven't seen the footage in question so it makes commenting hard but after his comments regarding the lack of *politically correct word* managers, it doesn't half seem odd.

Any minority should generally side and be understanding of each other, it's the only acceptance will ever truly break barriers but I just hope he can move on.

Personally this won't change my opinion of him, on the spot you can say stupid things and this doesn't make it okay, it just means we all make mistakes and I can't help but feel the media are doing their usual tricks here.

[Nesh]

I've never met the man, but I know my dad liked him when he was at Notts. Whatever one thinks (actually whatever he thinks too) about what he said, he needs to learn how to speak diplomat if he wants a political career in football, ... if he gets another chance that is.  

[PTID1862]

This to me is unfortunate for Johnno. He took the stance years ago due to his religious beliefs, if after a period of diversity training already covered he has since reviewed his position on homosexuality then good on him. It is his position now that should be judged, and surely it makes him even more of an ideal candidate considering his views previously.

 

I have covered diversity training myself, there are a couple of interesting bits to it. The rest is purely common sense and tolerance.

 

If I was to say I cannot stand Bengali's and some other Asians, does that make me Racist?

 

Possibly in some peoples eyes, but it is like this, I have met one Bengali family and couldn't stand them. So I cannot stomach 100% of the Bengali's I have come into contact with. There are some other Asians I don't like, this goes along with there are plenty of Anglo Saxons I do not like, along with half of the Yanks I have come into contact with.

 

I guess the point I was making is that just because I originally said I cannot stand Bengali's some people would judge me to be a racist, whereas I consider myself to like or dislike people for who they are and not based on race, gender etc etc etc.

 

MJ's previous position on this, is the same as the church, jeepers the pope has come out and given gay adoption some right welly.

 

For me, No case to answer, Johnno get yourself back on the panel son.

[Nesh]

Yeah, I misunderstood this story at first, didn't realize it was referring to a comment he'd made previous to taking up his position on the board - I wonder why he/they didn't use his comments as a good example of positive change... maybe he was unwilling to retract them, in which case he's clearly not suited to working in the role of Inclusion Advisor - just as I would not be suited to working on a Nottm Forest Supporters Club Liason Officer !!! (except as a saboteur )

 

@PTID1862, not sure I understand your confusion, what would be wrong with the simple truth: "I did not like the one Bengali family I've met, but I realize one family does not represent a whole sub-culture"? Acknowledging that your experience has negligible statistical significance would be more accurate than judging all Bengali's/Asians/Families from a severly limited sample, sadly though, lots of people do use this kind of justification for non-inclusive attitudes and racism. 

[PTID1862]

@Nesh I am fine with it all, and was just using it as an example of how comments made previously or worded wrongly can lead to all sorts of trouble.

 

Just to add that as an employer, I have had appointed:

 

A lesbian, a Nicaraguan, a Nepali, 2 Chinese, and young an old alike, and it was because they were the right person for the job.

[liampie]

my grandad had strong views for same partner couples, i think its a generation thing and this does not excuse ignorance but perhaps michaels children will be more open minded.

i would not say its the worst comment i have heard, tho stepping down does seem the right thing to do.

he should not be hassled about it tho.

[william1984]

i lost all respect for him after certain things he said in the press about notts as a club and martin allen and i dont care if ur a devoted christian or not its no wonder footballers and normal people hide there sexuality when theres people in the world like him hes as bad as the strong believing christians in america against same sex marriage.

[liampie]

people really need to get over this, same sex couples is not going to go anywhere and its good that former german footballer came out. an american did awhile back, maybe more will?

[upthepies]

This to me is unfortunate for Johnno. He took the stance years ago due to his religious beliefs, if after a period of diversity training already covered he has since reviewed his position on homosexuality then good on him. It is his position now that should be judged, and surely it makes him even more of an ideal candidate considering his views previously.

 

I have covered diversity training myself, there are a couple of interesting bits to it. The rest is purely common sense and tolerance.

 

If I was to say I cannot stand Bengali's and some other Asians, does that make me Racist?

 

Possibly in some peoples eyes, but it is like this, I have met one Bengali family and couldn't stand them. So I cannot stomach 100% of the Bengali's I have come into contact with. There are some other Asians I don't like, this goes along with there are plenty of Anglo Saxons I do not like, along with half of the Yanks I have come into contact with.

 

I guess the point I was making is that just because I originally said I cannot stand Bengali's some people would judge me to be a racist, whereas I consider myself to like or dislike people for who they are and not based on race, gender etc etc etc.

 

MJ's previous position on this, is the same as the church, jeepers the pope has come out and given gay adoption some right welly.

 

For me, No case to answer, Johnno get yourself back on the panel son.

Exactly my sentiments on this subject. Its very harsh, comment I do not agree with but Johnno as no case. Talk about holding the past against you!

 

i lost all respect for him after certain things he said in the press about notts as a club and martin allen and i dont care if ur a devoted christian or not its no wonder footballers and normal people hide there sexuality when theres people in the world like him hes as bad as the strong believing christians in america against same sex marriage.

What did he say if you dont mind me asking? Your views seem pretty harsh.

[Cobby]

i dont care if ur a devoted christian or not its no wonder footballers and normal people hide there sexuality when theres people in the world like him hes as bad as the strong believing christians in america against same sex marriage.

 

I would mostly agree with this. I hate it when otherwise nice people can use religion (of course I don't mean all religious people) to harbor deeply hurtful beliefs. I better stop before I get on my soap box!

 

At least he had the decency to leave on his own accord, and hopefully will rethink his stance.

[PTID1862]

@Cobby I think the point behind the full story is that he has rethinked his position and pointed out that he doesn't quite take that particular stance anymore.

 

Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone...

[william1984]

Exactly my sentiments on this subject. Its very harsh, comment I do not agree with but Johnno as no case. Talk about holding the past against you!

 

What did he say if you dont mind me asking? Your views seem pretty harsh.

when martin allen become manager and he got let go he called martin allen a racist for appointing someone with less qualifactions then himself when it then came out as usuall martin allen had nothing 2 do with the appointment of the youth team manager but rather rodwell did then after the 2 youth players claimed 2 be racial abused johnson started bad mouthing us as a club about it in the press hes as bad as paul ince if u get let go claim its because of the colour of ur skin.