FA demands clubs tackle racial imbalance in boardrooms by ensuring 15 per cent of new appointments come from BAME background
- The FA delivered the Football Leadership Diversity Code to clubs this week
- It will be launched before the end of the month and will be a ‘gamechanger’
- In the men’s game, a minimum of 15 per cent should be from a BAME background
- Also, 25 per cent of coaching appointments should be from a BAME background
The FA have demanded all clubs address the racial imbalance within the game by ensuring 15 per cent of new executive appointments be from a BAME background.
The FA delivered the Football Leadership Diversity Code, an 11-page document seen by Sportsmail, to clubs earlier this week. It will be launched before the end of the month and FA insiders believe it will be a ‘seismic shift’ and serve as a ‘gamechanger’.
In the men’s game, a minimum of 15 per cent of people hired in senior leadership or team operations roles, which include the boardroom and jobs such as director of football, should be from a BAME background.
FA chief Greg Clarke has demanded all clubs address the racial imbalance within the game
The FA delivered the Football Leadership Diversity Code to all clubs earlier in the week
Under the proposals, 25 per cent of coaching appointments should be from a BAME background, while that figure is 10 per cent for what is described as ‘new senior coaching hires’ — thought to relate to roles with the first team.
Alternatively, clubs can set their own targets based on the demographic of local areas as long as they meet the FA’s criteria allowing for room for negotiation.
The FA will carry out checks with clubs and post results of progress over time, but they are confident that after years of paying lip service, the pledges will bring a transformation.
Former Celtic and Chelsea defender Paul Elliott has been instrumental in the process
Clubs will be asked to sign up to the pledges, which cover all areas of staff. Sources at a top-flight club indicated that the Premier League are already on board and all 20 clubs are likely to follow suit. The EFL is also thought to be ready to give their backing.
Shortlists for interviews for any role should include one male and one female BAME applicant, if candidates who meet the job specification apply.
Former Celtic and Chelsea defender Paul Elliott has been instrumental.
The code is aimed at ‘ensuring boardrooms and leadership positions across our national sport better reflect the society we live in and the people who play the game’, Elliott said.
