England manager Gareth Southgate has condemned former Football Association chairman Greg Clarke's unacceptable comments and believes "there was no alternative but for him to go".
English football's governing body was sent into a tailspin on Tuesday when the 63-year-old used the word "coloured" among a series of offensive remarks when speaking to UK MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.
Clarke resigned that evening and speaking ahead of Thursday's friendly fixture between Republic of Ireland and his side at Wembley, Southgate says that was the only option for him to take.
"Well, I think, as he said himself, the terminology he used in a number of areas was not acceptable and doesn't reflect the view of the FA, doesn't reflect what we as a team stand for," Southgate said.
"I don't think he had any alternative but to take the decision he did to resign.
"I have to caveat that a little bit. I think (with) Greg, what's a shame for him in particular is that he's done a lot of work behind the scenes to support the diversity code, to make a lot of inroads into relationships around Europe.
"When we had the incidents in Montenegro and Bulgaria, he was at the forefront of supporting the players and lobbying with UEFA for change.
"Unfortunately, of course, he's going to be remembered for the comments he's made.
"There is a balance to that because I don't like to see individuals suffer as publicly as he has but, I repeat, what he said wasn't acceptable and there was no alternative but for him to go."
Former England women's team coach and captain Casey Stoney was also angered by Clarke's comments, which saw him insinuate that being gay was a "life choice" and discuss how the lack of women's goalkeepers was due to girls not liking the ball being kicked at them.
"I think it just shows how much work we have still got to do," the Manchester United Women head coach said.
"They are completely unacceptable and it was the right thing to stand down.
"There is some great work going on and I don't think we can go away from that because it is two separate issues, but it shows there is still a lot of education and work to do."
