FA chief Martin Glenn apologises after 'offensive and inappropriate' Star of David and Nazi swastika comparisons

Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has apologised after being criticised for his “ill-judged”, “offensive” and “inappropriate” explanation of his organisation’s response to Pep Guardiola’s yellow ribbon.

In trying to justify the FA’s decision to charge Guardiola over the ribbon, which he wears in support of two imprisoned leaders of the Catalan independence movement, Glenn appeared to equate the Star of David with a swastika.

Glenn issued an apology on Monday.

“I would like to apologise for any offence caused by the examples I gave when referring to political and religious symbols in football, specifically in reference to the Star of David, which is a hugely important symbol to Jewish people all over the world,” he said.

“I will be speaking with the Jewish Leadership Council and to Kick It Out to personally apologise.”

Glenn’s apology came after the Jewish Leadership Council reacted to his comments at the weekend.

Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Simon Johnson said: “I have no problem with the FA clarifying Rule 4 and specifying that ALL religious symbols are prohibited on a kit if that is the case.

READ MORE: FA chief Martin Glenn slated for political symbol comparisons

“But, in explaining that decision, the CEO of the FA’s examples are ill judged and in poor taste.

“The Star of David is a Jewish religious symbol of immense importance to Jews worldwide.

“To put it in the same bracket as the swastika and Robert Mugabe is offensive and inappropriate.

“We will raise formally with The FA the Jewish community’s deep disappointment with this statement.”

READ MORE: FA chief Martin Glenn expects Premier League to embrace VAR

Guardiola has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the FA charge relating to the ribbon.

Glenn defended the move, insisting comparisons cannot be made with sides choosing to display a poppy on their shirt to commemorate Armistice Day.

“We have rewritten Law 4 of the game so that things like a poppy are OK but things that are going to be highly divisive are not,” Glenn said in a number of national newspapers.

“That could be strong religious symbols, it could be the Star of David, it could the hammer and sickle, it could be a swastika, anything like Robert Mugabe on your shirt – these are the things we don’t want.”