Football Association board member Heather Rabbatts has claimed that the Premier League needs to give "serious consideration" to chief executive Richard Scudamore's future.

Scudamore issued an apology last weekend after a Sunday newspaper leaked a series of emails in which he used sexist language.

Rabbatts, who is the only female member on the FA board, has now added her voice to the growing criticism of Scudamore.

"No-one can doubt the tremendous achievements of the Premier League in creating one of the world's great footballing competitions," the 58-year-old said in a statement.

"But with that success and the massive public interest it generates comes the obligation to behave responsibly and have in place proper lines of accountability and good governance.

"Sadly recent events appear to show that these things are currently lacking in the administration of the Premier League and indeed there is growing evidence of a closed culture of sexism, symbolised in the email exchanges which have been made public.

"It is increasingly clear that steps are needed as a matter of urgency to review governance at the Premier League with a view to improving accountability and tackling head on a culture that demeans women and seems to discourage their involvement in the game's administration.

"These challenges go beyond the current situation of chief executive Richard Scudamore, however if the League are to move forward in a positive way then he and they should give serious consideration to his position in the coming days."

An FA Commission is due to meet next week to discuss the emails.