An outspoken critic of the Football Association has refused to stand down from its Inclusion Advisory Board following the issuing of an ultimatum.
Edward Lord has responded to a demand that he quit after he criticised the decision not to charge Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore for making sexist remarks or referees' chief David Elleray for an alleged racist comment.
The sports administrator, in a statement on his website, requested a meeting with FA chairman Greg Dyke to discuss his concerns.
"I will not be resigning from the FA's Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB)," Lord wrote on edwardlord.org.
"I have done nothing wrong and I remain committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination in football and in all sports and want to carry on doing the job I was appointed to do and for which I remain qualified.
"I am saddened that IAB members say they have lost confidence in me. They took their decision yesterday without having followed any reasonable or just procedure and without having had the benefit of my own testimony in person or the ability to question me directly."
Lord was unable to attend a Wembley meeting on Wednesday at which he was asked to leave the group.
"The Football Association should welcome constructive criticism rather than try to silence it," Lord added.
"There is no point in appointing external independent advisers and then gagging them from speaking out when controversial issues arise.
"If it is suggested that I have in any way breached the FA's rules then this should be independently investigated and then follow the correct procedure set out in the IAB terms of reference, which is either a vote of the full FA board or a disciplinary hearing under the terms of the FA council code of conduct.
"Either way, I would hope to have the courtesy of a full personal hearing before a qualified judicial panel at which I can answer any charges with the benefit of my legal representatives being present. Anything else would be unfair and potentially discriminatory.
"In light of these events, I have therefore asked for an urgent meeting with Greg Dyke, chairman of the FA to discuss these issues.
"I regard Greg, who himself is a champion of diversity, as the hope for the future of the FA."
Source: PA
