http://www.football365.com/news/story_141623.shtml
Why
John Barnes wasn't in the first 5 names they picked is BEYOND ME....
"FA withdraw all-white DVD"
The Football Association have scrapped thousands of copies of a DVD claiming to feature the best post-war England internationals as it did not include a single black player.
The DVD, entitled 'The Pride of the Nation', had been included in a welcome pack for newcomers to the 'englandfans' official members' club.
Sven-Goran Eriksson introduced a retrospective look at the leading footballers to have worn an England shirt over the past 40 years.
But while the initial list given to video producers Octagon is understood to have included black players, none of them made the final cut as the running time was reduced to 30 minutes.
And when the complaints then started at the unwitting offence caused by the FA's failure to check the finished copy, the governing body were forced into action.
This will involve the expense of all copies of the DVD being scrapped and a new edition being put together, featuring several black players.
FA head of media Adrian Bevington declared: "The FA is fully committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the game and in society.
"We regret and apologise for any offence that may have been caused due to a lack of black player representation on this DVD.
"With immediate effect, the DVD, which have been distributed to new members of the 'englandfans' club to date, has been withdrawn.
"The FA is in the process of producing a new DVD, which will include several outstanding black players, who have, of course, made a huge contribution to the national team and football in this country.
"Additionally, the FA is writing a letter of apology to all England fans who have received the original compilation, together with a copy of the new DVD.
"A letter will also be sent to the Professional Footballers' Association, apologising for any offence caused to any current or former players.''
Senior FA figures have been keen to rectify the situation, while stressing that the cost to the governing body will be minimal.
However, it is still highly embarrassing, especially just a few months after the FA complained vociferously at the racist abuse hurled at black England players in Madrid and stressed their own commitment to tackling the issue.
Piara Powar, spokesman for the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign, welcomed the FA's apology, while stressing the need for the governing body to remain acutely aware of such sensitive issues.
"We can understand the concerns that have been raised as black players have contributed an immense amount to the game in England, but the FA's apology shows they realise that they have made a faux-pas,'' he said.
Many of the 17 players on the original DVD would be uncontroversial choices, including Bobby Moore, Gary Lineker, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Terry Butcher.
However, Martin Peters, Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce and Steven Gerrard were also included, while black players such as Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Paul Ince, John Barnes, Ashley Cole and Viv Anderson were not.
Bevington added: "There have been numerous outstanding black footballers since Viv Anderson's debut in 1978 and that should have been highlighted on the
original DVD.''
The original list of players - including some black internationals - was selected by a group of 'englandfans' members but, after editing, the FA still had final responsibility for the contents.
They are now deciding upon which black players will be included on an extended version of the DVD.
