FA apologises for 'cuts' in DVD for England fans

The Football Association (FA) has apologised for any offence caused when a DVD featuring post-war England international players omitted to include any black players from the featured line-up.

Following complaints the DVD, which was included as part of a membership pack for the "englandfans" club, has been withdrawn.

In a statement, the FA said: "The FA is firmly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the game and in society. We regret and apologise for any offence that may have been caused due to the lack of black player representation on the DVD.

"With immediate effect, the DVD which has been distributed to all new members of the englandfans club to date has been withdrawn."

Featured in the DVD are top players including: David Beckham, Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Garry Lineker, Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, and Alan Shearer.

It is understood that following cuts during production of the DVD a number of players in the original list to be included in the DVD were left back in the cutting room. These may include top black players such as Viv Anderson, John Barnes, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Ince.

The FA confirmed that it would produce a new DVD that will include "several outstanding black players who have of course made a huge contribution to the national team and football in this country".

Additionally, the FA is writing a letter of apology to all englandfans who received the original DVD and supplying a copy of the new DVD.

The FA has also written to the Professional Footballers' Association to apologise for any offence caused to any current or former England players by the omissions in the DVD.

(SP/MB)