Edleen John: Senior FA director accused of bullying by colleague

Edleen John, director of international relations, corporate affairs and co-partner for equality, diversity and inclusion at the FA, has been accused of bullying and intimidation on several occasions, although the letter does not constitute a formal complaint.

The FA have offered advice to John, who is due to be part of the governing body’s delegation for next month’s World Cup draw in Qatar.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, John stopped apologizing for his behavior but said it was never his intention to make his colleagues feel intimidated.

“At the core of who I am, I am an activist and direct in my style of communication,” she writes. “As a senior black woman joining the football industry in the midst of a pandemic, I am honored that the FA has empowered me to try to be an agent of change.

“One of the challenges of leading change is that sometimes I have to be uncomfortably direct. I ask the questions no one wants to ask. I have difficult conversations about things that people haven’t engaged with in ages and that can mean pushing boundaries and people.

“Have I ever wanted anyone to feel intimidated? Absolutely not.”