Mark Bullingham has identified a significant need for enhanced diversity in English football.
The collective efforts of clubs adhering to the Football Association’s Diversity Code have fallen short of achieving any set recruitment goals over the last year.
Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, acknowledges that progress has been more gradual than anticipated since the code’s introduction three years ago.
As a corrective measure, the FA plans to implement compulsory diversity reporting for all professional clubs in English football.
Despite these shortcomings, the FA, along with the Premier League and Football League, have successfully met their own diversity targets.
“There’s observable progress within the FA, Premier League, and EFL,” Bullingham states. “Yet, the overall failure of clubs to meet their goals underlines the substantial work still needed.”
Paul Elliott, a former Chelsea defender and co-creator of the Diversity Code, remarked: “The code was never expected to yield instant results. Its significance lies in unifying English football towards substantial, long-term change. Mandatory reporting is a pivotal next step in this process.”
Tony Burnett, CEO of the anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out, views mandatory diversity reporting as a positive move. However, he advocates for penalties against clubs failing to meet targets.
“We need to adopt a more audacious approach,” he asserts. “We urge the Premier League, EFL, and its 92 clubs to transparently share their data. Moreover, we need sanctions for non-compliance and integrate future diversity goals into the regulations of the FA, Premier League, and EFL. Without such measures, the full extent of the challenge remains hidden, and effective solutions to make football more inclusive will be elusive.”
Starting from the 2024-25 season, a new rule will require clubs to report on various demographic aspects, including age, sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation within their organizations.
FA Diversity Code: Ineffective, Says Ferdinand
‘Natural Progression’
The FA describes this move as a “natural progression” of the Diversity Code, established in 2020 to address racial inequalities in English football.
51 clubs from the Premier League, Football League, and Women’s Super League have signed the voluntary code, committing to annual workforce data reporting.
The clubs’ agreement includes:
- 15% of new executive and team operations hires from black, Asian, or mixed heritage backgrounds, with 30% female.
- 25% of new coaching hires to be black, Asian, or mixed heritage, and 10% in senior coaching roles.
- 50% of new coaching roles in women’s football to be filled by women, with 15% from black, Asian, or mixed heritage backgrounds.
- Shortlists for interviews to include at least one male and one female candidate of black, Asian, or mixed heritage, if such applicants meet the job criteria.
From 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023, the clubs collectively missed all these recruitment targets, though some did meet individual targets.
When combined with the FA, Premier League, and EFL, only one target was fully met: over 30% of new team operations appointments were female.
[Table of Target Achievement Rates]
The FA notes that while hiring rates for team operations and coaching positions have remained stable over three years, those for senior leaders and coaches from black, Asian, and mixed heritage backgrounds have declined.
Despite a slight increase in male black, Asian, or mixed heritage candidates on shortlists, there has been a drop in female candidates from these backgrounds.
Fulham excelled, achieving nine out of ten targets. West Brom met eight targets, with the remaining two not applicable to their women’s team.
[Additional note on Football Daily podcast and Premier League club coverage]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Football Association Diversity
What is the Football Association’s Diversity Code?
The Football Association’s Diversity Code is a set of guidelines aimed at increasing diversity within English football clubs. It sets specific targets for the recruitment of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including black, Asian, or mixed heritage, as well as gender diversity in executive, team operations, and coaching roles.
How have clubs performed against the Diversity Code’s targets?
Clubs signed up to the Diversity Code have collectively failed to meet any of their recruitment targets over the past year, indicating a need for more effective strategies and measures to increase diversity within the clubs.
What actions are being taken to improve diversity in English football?
The FA plans to implement mandatory diversity reporting for all professional clubs in English football. This initiative will require clubs to report data on age, sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation within their organizations, starting from the 2024-25 season.
Have any clubs successfully met the Diversity Code’s targets?
Some individual clubs have met specific targets, but overall, the collective effort has fallen short. Notably, Fulham and West Brom have performed better than most, with Fulham meeting nine of its ten targets and West Brom meeting eight.
What is the response from diversity advocacy groups?
Diversity advocacy groups, such as Kick It Out, view mandatory diversity reporting as a positive step but also call for the introduction of sanctions for clubs that fail to meet targets. They emphasize the need for transparency and integration of diversity goals into the regulations of the FA, Premier League, and EFL to ensure effective and measurable progress.
More about Football Association Diversity
- Football Association Diversity Code
- English Football Recruitment Diversity
- FA Diversity Reporting Measures
- Kick It Out Advocacy
- Fulham’s Diversity Achievements
- West Brom’s Diversity Progress
5 comments
Wow, just read about the FA’s diversity code. really shows how much work still needs to be done huh? kinda disappointed in most clubs tbh.
honestly surprised at how many clubs are falling short. but its a complex issue, isn’t it? more than just ticking boxes.
am i the only one who thinks sanctions might be a bit much? maybe clubs just need more support to meet these targets…
its about time they started mandatory reporting, only way we’ll see real change. also, big up to Fulham for actually meeting their targets, shows it can be done!
The data on female representation is interesting but not enough, we need to see more women in top roles, not just coaching. still a long way to go.