The Football Association has retained Michael Johnson as part of their Inclusion Advisory Board despite the former Jamaica international making disparaging comments about homosexuality.

A 10-man panel, charged with promoting equality within football, was selected last month, and the 40-year-old - best known for his time with Birmingham City and Derby County - was one of those chosen.

However, since then, footage has emerged of a March 2012 appearance on BBC show The Big Question, during which he described homosexuality as "detestable".

When asked by presenter Nicky Campbell if he would support the fight against homophobia in the game, he replied: "Because of my beliefs, because of the Bible that I read, in the Bible it does state that homosexuality is detestable unto the Lord."

Johnson, who is currently a coach at St Andrew's, said that he now has "deep regret" about making the remarks, and claims that his views have now changed.

"I was invited on to the programme in March 2012 to talk about my faith," Eurosport quotes him as saying. "I was not prepared for the question and it is with deep regret that I answered it in the way I did back then. It was wrong and relates to a view I no longer hold.

"I have since invested a great deal of my time and energies into re-educating myself through reading, attending workshops and entering into debates. As a result, my whole way of thinking has changed.

"The Inclusion Advisory Board is all about education and changing opinions and, through my own personal experience and learning, I believe I can have a positive influence on the work being done by football on this vital agenda."

Johnson made 12 appearances for Jamaica.