Greg Clarke has admitted that he is shocked by the circumstances surrounding Sam Allardyce's sacking as England manager, but says the Football Association had to make a 'swift and decisive call'.
The 61-year-old was axed just 67 days into his Three Lions reign following an investigation by The Telegraph which accused him of discussing how to get around rules on player transfers.
Clarke, who himself was only appointed as FA chairman last month, was quick to express his sympathy for Allardyce at the time but has now attempted to put a line under the "regrettable episode".
"When I began work in early September, I could not have expected that one of my first big challenges would be around the unexpected departure of Sam Allardyce," he said in his programme notes ahead of England's qualifying clash against Malta.
"It has been an entirely regrettable episode and I am sure he will dwell on for quite some time. But, as we the organisation responsible for leading the whole English game from the grassroots to the elite, we had to act swiftly and decisively.
"Beyond that, there is no need for to go into the circumstances again here, particularly as we are fully focused on the task at hand and determined to give Gareth Southgate our full support."
Southgate has been placed in charge of England on an initial interim basis for the remainder of the year.
Daniel Lewis
