Alberta Soccer suspends regional president for 'disgusting and offensive' email

The president of the Central Alberta Soccer Association (CASA) has been suspended after an email was sent from his account expressing disdain toward diversity initiatives, saying the initiatives "discriminate against Canadians, especially young males of European descent."

A copy of CASA president Jon Mulder's email, sent on Wednesday to 10 Alberta Soccer employees, has been obtained by CBC News. The email criticized the efforts of the governing body to encourage the participation of women, girls, minorities and LGBTQ community members. 

"Only perverts and predators wish to discuss sex and sexuality with other people's children," the email said. 

"Adults don't need to discuss their sexual proclivities in order to participate in community sports."

The message was in response to an email sent earlier in the day on behalf of Alberta Soccer's executive director Lisa Grant, informing members of an upcoming Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) conference.

The conference, hosted by Canada Soccer, is described as focusing on "women and girls in soccer, LGBTQ+ inclusion, all-abilities soccer, anti-racism, and new-to-Canada participants in soccer."

Grant confirmed that Mulder was suspended Thursday morning and said the Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) "acted swiftly as these comments and behaviours will not be tolerated."

"To receive this email was shocking and these comments are disgusting and offensive," she wrote in a statement to CBC News. 

CBC News attempted to reach Mulder for comment on Thursday but did not hear back.

Conference organizers are currently looking to regional associations for initiatives taking place at the local level to showcase at the event.

"The main objective of this conference is to