FA board member Heather Rabbatts hopes the reaction to Sunderland manager David Moyes' comments to a female reporter sends a " loud and clear" message to the football community.
Moyes told the BBC's Vicki Sparks she might "get a slap" following an interview after a draw with Burnley.
He "deeply regrets" the remark but the Football Association has asked him for his observations on the incident.
Rabbatts is the only woman on the organisation's 12-person board.
"While these are difficult moments for the individuals involved, what I hope this says to the rest of the broader community is that this is not a PC issue," she told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek on Sunday.