The Football Association has been plunged into a major scandal after allegations of racial abuse emerged from within the England Men's Under-17s squad during a recent training camp.
The governing body has launched an immediate and full-scale investigation following reports that several young players were subjected to discriminatory language and bullying by their own teammates while on international duty in Spain.
A source close to the camp revealed: "There was an incident where certain players made racially offensive comments towards other members of the squad. The coaching staff acted quickly, but the damage was done."
The FA has confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with all players and staff involved being interviewed. A spokesperson stated: "We are aware of an incident that occurred during an England U17s training camp. We are investigating fully and will not tolerate any form of discrimination."
This incident represents a serious embarrassment for the FA, which has publicly championed its 'Football Leadership Diversity Code' and zero-tolerance policy towards racism at all levels of the game.
The Young Lions were in Spain for a series of matches and intensive training sessions, a common practice for developing the nation's most promising youth talent. The environment is meant to foster unity and teamwork, making the allegations particularly concerning.
This is not the first time the FA has had to confront issues of racism within the age-group setup, raising serious questions about the culture being cultivated in the youth international system.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to lead to significant disciplinary action, including potential dismissals from the national team setup for those found responsible.
