by Suzanne Beishon

THE FA’s decision to launch a formal investigation into independent board member Heather Rabbatts over her public support for former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro was labelled “baseless” and “bizarre” by equality groups yesterday.

The only woman on the board has been extremely critical of the FA’s handling of Carneiro’s case, labelling it as “seriously disappointing.”

“The FA’s reaction to the treatment of Dr Eva Carneiro has been seriously disappointing. I have major concerns over the way in which the disciplinary process has been conducted and the lack of an organisational response to the wider issues raised by this case,” Rabbatt’s said.

She is now facing a formal investigation which reportedly began on Friday, after complaints from two FA councillors for alleged breach of the FA’s code of conduct.

The chief executive of Women in Sport Ruth Holdaway said the group was “deeplu disappointed to hear that [Rabbatts] is facing investigation for her comments surrounding the handling of the recent Eva Carneiro case.

“During a year in which the role of women in the national game has rightly been celebrated, not least for the successes of the England women’s team at this summer’s World Cup, it is staggering that members of the FA Council believe it is appropriate to take action against a woman whose very role on the FA Inclusion Advisory Board demonstrates the value of clear and diverse leadership in sport.”

Pointing to the future release of their report into representation of women at the highest levels of sports governance, Holdaway also said: “Enthusiasm is inevitably undermined by actions such as these; we hope that any investigation swiftly backs Heather Rabbatts and demonstrates the baselessness of the complaint.”

And the head of equality group Kick It Out Lord Herman Ouseley, who himself resigned from the FA Council three years ago, echoed the sentiments and said that the FA should in fact be supporting Rabbatts’s stance.

“To hear that Heather Rabbatts is now being investigated for her support of Eva Carneiro is bizarre, and it shows what an antiquated body the FA Council is.

“As the only female independent board member, she is in an exposed position but she is there to provide a different voice and (serve) as a figurehead for people in the game who feel the whole system is against them,” said Ouseley.

“This is a moment when the chairman of the FA, Greg Dyke, should stand up and show support for Heather Rabbatts,” he challenged.

Of the 121-strong FA council it is believed that 82-year-old life vice-president Ron Barston and 70-year-old law lecturer Richard Tur, the chairman of the Oxford University FA, have called for an investigation into Rabbatts. Tur said he was unable to comment.

FA rules state that only two members of the council are required for a formal investigation to be launched. The ultimate sanction would be Rabbatts being removed from the FA board, though any such move would have to be confirmed by her fellow directors.

Under FA statutes, the investigation has to be conducted by the FA’s company secretary, Richard McDermott, who will present his findings to a panel of a minimum of three people selected from the FA board.