Football Association to Introduce Mandatory Diversity Reporting for Clubs Ahead of the New Season

The FA to Implement Mandatory Diversity Reporting for Clubs

The Football Association (FA) is on the verge of finalizing a crucial new rule in time for the next football season. This rule will make workforce diversity reporting a compulsory requirement for all professional football clubs in England. The initiative aims to enhance inclusion and diversity across football, ensuring that clubs provide detailed demographic information about their workforce.

Background: The Football Leadership Diversity Code

Launched nearly four years ago, the FA's Football Leadership Diversity Code was designed to foster a more inclusive environment in the sport. Despite having made significant promises towards enhancing diversity, recent data indicates that the 53 professional clubs subscribed to the code have not met any of the eight hiring targets established in the previous season.

Key Developments and Stakeholder Discussions

In light of the disappointing lack of progress, the FA is now moving towards implementing mandatory reporting requirements. Discussions have been conducted with stakeholders from various leagues, encompassing the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women's Super League, and Barclays Women's Championship.

Mandating Workforce Data Collection

The FA Board has proposed a new rule mandating all professional clubs within the English leagues to submit comprehensive workforce data, which will include details on age, sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation. Collecting this data is seen as a vital step toward understanding the diversity landscape within football.

Engagement with the Race Representation Index

This year, the FA participated in the Race Representation Index (RRI) for the first time, finishing at 18th among 92 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sports organizations that took part. The RRI, launched by the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel alongside the race equality charity Sporting Equals, aims to assess and improve the representation of diverse ethnic communities within sports governing bodies.

Significance of Data Collection

Arun Kang OBE, chief executive of Sporting Equals, emphasized the importance of not just collecting data but also actively using it to bridge gaps and implement targeted interventions. Communities, such as South Asians in football, are underrepresented at higher levels, and the RRI is expected to aid governing bodies in formulating informed strategies for engagement.

Addressing Management Diversity in English Football

Furthermore, the FA has been urged to intensify efforts to cultivate a pool of diverse candidates for key managerial positions, particularly for the England men's team. Currently, there is only one Black-British manager across the top four tiers of English football—Darren Moore at Port Vale in League Two. The disparity continues to highlight pressing issues within football management.

The Need for Structural Change

Data from the Black Footballers Partnership (BFP) indicates a stark contrast between the representation of Black players and managers in the Premier League. While 43% of players are Black, only 4.4% of managerial and coaching positions are held by Black individuals. Delroy Corinaldi, co-founder of the BFP, described this gap as a "glass ceiling" for Black players, likening the talent pool for former white players to a deep reservoir while that for Black players barely resembles a swimming pool.

Collaborative Efforts for Change

The FA has committed to conducting an open recruitment process for Gareth Southgate's successor, promising to maintain transparent criteria. Corinaldi stated that the BFP is prepared to collaborate with the FA to actively promote diversity but seeks a committed approach from the governing body.

Conclusion

As the FA prepares to enforce mandatory reporting and strives for transparency in diversity and inclusion, the future of workforce demographic practices in football looks promising. The effective implementation of these initiatives could serve as a critical turning point in building a more equitable sporting environment.