FA mandates increase in BME coaches

The FA will soon lead the way in positive action to address the race gap in sports leadership and management.

It was announced today that the FA is preparing a policy that would make it mandatory for England teams to include a coach from a black, Asian, or minority ethnic background on their staff.

This announcement comes after the realization that little progress has been made since the 2014 report that revealed BME coaches only comprise of 3.4% of top positions. While only a little over 3% of people from BME backgrounds have leadership roles, at least 25% of players are from BME backgrounds, a clear disproportion.

The new actions will complement the FA’s already successful COACH program, which provides assistance to BME populations in attaining higher level coaching qualifications. The program, which launched in 2011, supports an average of 46 BME aspiring coaches annually in reaching their career goals. The participants often benefit from insight and mentorship from more experienced coaches in the professional football sphere.

The new undertaking serves to demonstrate how seriously the FA takes the issue, especially in light of recent racism scandals. In 2017, the association was forced to apologize for racially discriminatory remarks made towards female footballer Eniola Aluko.

And now that apology is finally being accompanied by meaningful action.

The efforts of the FA to dismantle racial inequality in professional athletics are noteworthy and honourable. These actions represent a move in the right direction despite a tumultuous racial history and signify a willingness to take part in positive change.

Cameron de Matteis