Norwich City’s Danny Batth champions the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme.
The Professional Footballers’ Association’s latest statistics indicate a continuous increase in the number of South Asian male professional footballers in England and Wales for the second successive year.
This season, the top four English leagues feature 22 professional players of South Asian descent aged 17 and above.
This represents a 29% increase from the 17 players in the 2022-23 season, compared to 16 in 2021-22, the inaugural year of the PFA’s data collection on this matter.
PFA player inclusion executive Riz Rehman commented, “The data shows a positive trend,” highlighting the growing presence of South Asian players and their emerging paths in the sport.
Rehman emphasized, “Our ongoing commitment is to support the players, building upon the numerous accomplishments from the previous year and striving for further progress.”
However, football clubs still fall short of meeting the FA’s diversity recruitment goals.
In 2021, the PFA initiated the Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS) to bolster Asian representation in football. This initiative includes workshops, a support network for Asian footballers, and dialogues with clubs about cultural obstacles.
Key highlights from the latest data reveal:
- Every top men’s professional league now includes players of South Asian heritage.
- A rise in the overall number of players with South Asian heritage across all elite football levels in the 2022-23 season, increasing to 134 from 119 the previous year.
- The percentage of academies featuring at least one South Asian heritage player grew to 63% in the latest season, up from 53% in the 2021-22 season.
- A notable increase in league debuts by South Asian heritage players, with six debuts between 2022 and 2023 compared to just two from 2018 to 2021.
Despite these advances, the proportion of South Asian professional players in England and Wales remains comparatively low.
Out of approximately 5,000 professional footballers in the UK, less than 1% are of South Asian heritage.
Comparatively, individuals identifying as Asian, Asian British, or Asian Welsh constitute 9.3% of the total UK population, as per the 2021 Census data.
Rehman, in an interview with Sky Sports, expressed the PFA’s shift in focus from a historically negative perspective to a more positive one regarding Asian players’ representation.
Rehman observed that the past focus was often on the scarcity of Asian players rather than their accomplishments. He noted that a continuous emphasis on mere numbers would not yield significant changes.
The PFA has concentrated on establishing support networks for young Asian footballers, with mentors like Norwich City’s Danny Batth and Shrewsbury Town’s Malvind Benning offering guidance.
Sai Sachdev, a Sheffield United and England U19 international supported by AIMS, shared his positive experience with the programme, noting the PFA’s involvement in his development journey and the valuable insights gained from AIMS events about diverse career opportunities in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about South Asian footballers UK
What is the trend in the number of South Asian professional footballers in England and Wales?
The number of South Asian men’s professional footballers in England and Wales has been rising for the second consecutive year, with 22 players in the top four leagues this season, marking a 29% increase from the previous year.
What is the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS)?
The Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme, launched by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in 2021, aims to increase Asian representation in football through workshops, support networks, and engaging with clubs to address cultural barriers.
How has the representation of South Asian players changed in football academies?
The representation of South Asian players in football academies has increased, with 63% of academies having at least one player of South Asian heritage in the latest season, up from 53% in the previous year.
What is the overall percentage of South Asian professional players in the UK?
The overall percentage of South Asian professional players in the UK remains low, with less than 1% of around 5,000 professional footballers being of South Asian heritage, despite Asians making up 9.3% of the UK population.
How is the PFA changing the narrative around Asian players in football?
The PFA is shifting the focus from the lack of Asian players to their achievements and progress in the game, emphasizing the development of support networks and mentoring for young Asian footballers.
More about South Asian footballers UK
- Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA)
- PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS)
- Sky Sports Interview with Riz Rehman
- UK Census 2021 Data
- Diversity in Football Academies
- Representation of South Asian Players in UK Football
