The former Wimbledon and Jamaica international will sit on the Race Equality Advisory Group, which aims to boost football participation in ethnic minority communities around the country.

With The FA supporting both Great Britain’s Blind and Cerebral Palsy squad qualification for this year’s Beijing Olympics, the disability game is also set to benefit further thanks to the new Disability Equality Advisory Group.

FA Equality Manager, Lucy Faulkner, commented: “Both groups were formed following last year’s structural review and, as well advising the main FA Board, they’ll both have representatives sitting on The FA’s Council.

“Both Advisory Groups concentrate on issues such as the handling of discrimination cases, improving the service provided to disabled fans at all levels of the game and the best practice in recruiting new employees from diverse backgrounds.”

Joining Robbie Earle on the Race Equality Advisory Group are Butch Fazal who chairs the National Asians in Football Forum, Lord Herman Ouseley from leading anti-racism charity, Kick It Out and FA Football for All ambassador, Lorraine Deschamps.

Lord Herman believes that the REAG can help implement three key changes that will help direct football’s future: “We want to see a real will and commitment to address the issue of the under representation of Asians within the game from playing and officiating to spectating and administrating.

“I’d also like to see all clubs show a determined drive and will towards equality of opportunity and the eradication of ignorance throughout football from the grassroots upwards.”

Lorraine Deschamps added: “We must raise awareness and understanding within the sports delivery system in order to change attitudes and increase participation, volunteering and employment.

“Individuals and communities can play a part in this change and achieve their full potential through sport.”
 
The brand new Disability Equality Advisory Group includes Phil Downs, who was a founding member of the National Association of Disabled Supporters.

Phil, who has an MBE for his work within the disability community, explained his hopes for the new DEAG set-up: “It would be great to see accessible stadia to all disabled people and for clubs to provide appropriate services so that everyone can have parity in their match day experiences.”

Joining Phil Downs on the Disability Equality Advisory Group is Everton Amputee manager and GB Paralympian Steve Johnson: “Our aims are to also change negative attitudes towards disabled people and raise the profile of disabled players to value them as footballers.

“It would be fantastic if our National Disabled Squads could also receive the same kind of match attendances as some of the other non-disabled England sides.”