Tackling the Issue: The Football Association's Ongoing Silence on Black Coaches
Addressing racial disparity in coaching, the Black Footballers Partnership urges fairness and equal treatment for black players The report's impact prompts responses from FA, EFL, and Premier League
The English football community has been accused by the Black Footballers Partnership of neglecting the issue of black coaches being underrepresented in the sport. The FA's Football Leadership Diversity Code, introduced in 2020, has been labeled as ineffective by the BFP. According to their commissioned report, targets for black former players to advance into coaching and management roles have consistently been overlooked for three years.
The BFP study coincided with the 75th anniversary of HMT Windrush's arrival in the UK, when workers from the West Indies came to aid in the reconstruction of infrastructure ravaged by the Second World War. The new report highlights that the initiatives aimed at increasing representation of black individuals in senior roles within football have been insufficient, inadequate, and belated.
The Football Association's Football Leadership Diversity Code requires football clubs to aim for specific targets in hiring coaches. Specifically, they are expected to hire 25 percent of new coaching staff from black, Asian, or mixed heritage backgrounds, and 10 percent of senior coaching staff from the same demographics.
Only 10 out of the 92 professional clubs in England meet the criteria, as indicated in the new report. In the Premier League, black players comprise 43 percent of all players, while in the English Football League (EFL), they account for 34 percent. However, the report reveals that the percentage of black professional football coaches across all four divisions in England is less than five.
Sports economist Stefan Szymanski from the University of Michigan carried out the study on behalf of the BFP. The key findings of his report show:
Chris Ramsey, a black former Premier League manager, has told We News: "All black footballers want is to be treated fairly like our friends and colleagues from other groups.
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Ramsey believes there is a systemic issue in the game
"The data clearly indicates that there is a substantial disparity in the representation of black individuals compared to their white counterparts, even when we possess the necessary qualifications for the roles and positions that are typically filled by former football players. We eagerly anticipate engaging in a meaningful and productive dialogue with the game in order to ensure that their strategies are aimed at achieving tangible and impactful transformation." Delroy Corinaldi, the executive director of BFP, remarked, "The statistics themselves convey a disheartening narrative, particularly during a period meant to commemorate the achievements of the Windrush generation over the past 75 years."
"While the clubs may have good intentions, they are collectively falling short in providing authentic, revolutionary and significant opportunities for diversity, and this stands as one of the major obstacles in football.
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BFP eagerly anticipates engaging in productive and strategic discussions with the FA in order to establish a football future that is truly based on merit and fairness for everyone, as well as collaborating with clubs that are dedicated to receiving assistance.
In addressing the allegation that the FA's Leadership and Diversity Code has been unsuccessful, Paul Elliott, the creator of The FA's Football Leadership Diversity Code, emphasized that it is a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering greater responsibility among its supporters in addressing the lack of diversity in football.
The suggestion that it has failed, less than three years since its launch, is premature and unfair. It takes time for substantive change to occur, and we have already witnessed tangible progress with the governing bodies and several clubs.
It is crucial for individuals involved in the sport to show their support for the code and other positive initiatives. Long-term structural changes in football do not happen overnight. By fostering collaboration among clubs, leagues, governing bodies, and all stakeholders, we can achieve significant and meaningful change.
According to an EFL spokesperson, the Football Leadership Diversity Code (FLDC) implemented by the FA is part of the EFL's ongoing efforts to enhance representation. Despite the work that still needs to be done, EFL clubs that participated in the FLDC collectively achieved six out of eight targets.
In addition to the FLDC, there are various other initiatives in place for clubs not involved in the code. The EFL's code of practice was recently revamped, and a mandatory minority coaches recruitment code has resulted in minority candidates being appointed to 23 percent of academy coaching roles. Furthermore, a new anonymised I-Recruit platform has been introduced to address any unconscious bias in club recruitment processes.
The Premier League is fully committed to combating discrimination and promoting diversity in football. The No Room For Racism initiative, launched in March 2019, integrates the League's efforts to address racial discrimination. Additionally, the Action Plan, introduced in 2021, is an integral part of all activities carried out by the Premier League.
In February of this year, the League provided a comprehensive two-year update on the progress made under the No Room For Racism Action Plan. This update highlighted advancements made in all six key areas, with specific targets in place to ensure that this positive momentum continues. While acknowledging areas in need of improvement, we acknowledge that there is still significant work to be done in this regard.
