Heather Rabbatts backed by Sports Minister Tracey Crouch

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has described the FA investigation into board member Heather Rabatts as "unfortunate" following her comments about their handling of the Eva Carneiro case.

Earlier this month, Rabbatts, who heads up The FA's Inclusion and Advisory Board (IAB), admitted she was "seriously disappointed" by the way in which the matter was dealt with, adding she had "major concerns".

Those comments prompted a complaint from two FA councillors and an investigation by English football's governing body has now been launched.

But Crouch has thrown her weight behind the FA's only female board member and says she hopes to see Rabbatts continue working in the game for a long time to come.

"I'm a supporter of what Heather has been doing in terms of inclusion and diversity and I know of course [FA chairman] Greg Dyke has been very supportive of her," Crouch told Sky Sports News HQ.

"It's unfortunate obviously that this process is going on but I want to see the work that Heather has been doing carry on.

"I hope this matter is put to bed sooner rather than later and that Heather can get on with the fantastic work she has been doing in terms of inclusion and diversity.

"As a woman, who has played football her entire life and been involved in football at grassroots level, I think it is really important we have strong leaders in football.

"We want to make sure women's football continues to grow and that requires have good leaders in football across the whole piece, so hopefully Heather will be able to continue doing that work."

Earlier on Tuesday, independent members of the IAB - including former players Graeme Le Saux and Paul Elliott - sent a joint letter to FA chairman Greg Dyke and all FA councillors backing Rabbatts and criticising the investigation.

"We were concerned to see two members of the FA Council question Heather's integrity this week with an FA enquiry now underway," the letter stated.

"Their seeming priorities surely serve only to distract from the real issues at stake within football such as fairness, equality and respect."

The letter added: "We would question whether Heather Rabbatts has any charge to answer to and therefore, the IAB calls for this matter be concluded promptly so that she can continue unhindered in her many good works at the FA IAB helm and as a member of the FA board."

Carneiro parted company with Chelsea after being dropped from first-team duties following criticism from manager Jose Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard.

Mourinho was later cleared by the FA of making discriminatory comments towards the doctor.