Herbert: ‘FA have swept racism row under the carpet’

The chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers Peter Herbert says the FA have failed to conduct a proper investigation into the racism scandal surrounding England manager Roy Hodgson.

The Three Lions boss has become embroiled in a bizarre race row after telling an old joke about a monkey and an astronaut at half-time of his side's win over Poland on Tuesday as he attempted to illustrate the importance of right-back Chris Smalling getting the ball to Andros Townsend.

The Tottenham man said he was not upset by the joke and Hodgson has apologised to both the player and anyone who may have been offended.

Anti-racism group Kick It Out had called for an investigation but following the FA's inquiry and backing of the manager, said it deemed the matter concluded.

But this is not enough for Herbert and he told Kick Off that the society will be making a formal complaint and demanding to see a transcript of the governing body's investigation detailing who it had spoken to and what had been said.