WOMEN IN FOOTBALL, a network of professional women working in the sport, has called for an independent inquiry after Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore escaped punishment for sending sexist emails.

The FA also confirmed yesterday that it would not be taking any action.

A statement published on womeninfootball.co.uk read: “Women in Football is disappointed that the Premier League has missed a significant opportunity to demonstrate a strong commitment to equality in the workplace.

“In not recommending action — in any form whatsoever — it will be extremely difficult for women working in the industry to feel reassured that this issue has been adequately addressed.

“In a Women in Football survey over two thirds of the respondents ascribed sexism as a characteristic of their working environment.

“With such evidence of sexism in the football workplace, we feel it is irresponsible for any organisation to dismiss this issue without following good practice and taking independent expert advice.

“We renew our call for an independent enquiry into this matter. We believe it is imperative that any conclusions reached by the Premier League are done so through the means of an objective audit in which employees are given the opportunity to express their views anonymously to an independent body.

“We are additionally concerned that the ‘extensive consultations’ with women in the football industry, cited in the Premier League’s statement yesterday, did not extend to Women in Football, despite our position in representing over 1,000 women working across the sport.”

A Football Association equality panel met yesterday and simply restated its position that it cannot take action against Scudamore because he is not an FA employee.

FA chairman Greg Dyke met his counterpart at the Premier League, Peter McCormick, yesterday for talks over the issue. 

One member of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, equality campaigner Edward Lord, obtained a legal opinion that the FA could take disciplinary action but Dyke reaffirmed that will not take place.

IAB chair Heather Rabbatts, who was also at the meeting with McCormick, will take on the task of ensuring the Premier League keeps to its “undertaking to take further steps on inclusion and diversity.”

Rani Abraham, the former temporary personal assistant who leaked the emails, told the BBC: “I’m highly surprised the Premier League have decided to take no sanctions whatsoever against Richard Scudamore. I feel very disappointed, I think it sends out a damaging message about how we regard women in football.”

Abraham said she had not been contacted as part of the league’s investigation.

“They haven’t approached me, they haven’t heard my side of the story so there has not been a thorough investigation. I honestly think they are not taking the sexism seriously.”

Abraham said she had been threatened with legal action by the Premier League after leaking the emails and was herself now considering taking legal action against the organisation.

“They said there had been a breach of trust. It was a very threatening letter. I have had a couple now, and I believe the Premier League are trying to scare me,” Abraham said.

“I won’t go quiet because I am standing up for what I believe in.”