Speaking at the launch, Jonathan Hall, The FA's Director of Governance, said: "Football is united in the need to increase representation at every level of the game and we welcome today's report by the CRE.

"Football can play a leading role in increasing ethnic minority representation within sports administration, which is why we have already put in place a 10-point action plan agreed, by all the relevant football bodies, including The Premier League, Football League, Football Foundation, PFA and LMA, which will increase diversity in football."

In addition to adopting the CRE's recommendations, a number of initiatives to increase minority representation have already been put in place:

  • Committed to the principle of co-opting people in to our committee system. An early example of this is the appointment of Robbie Earle to our panel of experts from which Disciplinary Commissions are drawn.
  • All County FAs now have key performance indicators, including race equality targets for coaches and players and if these are not met, it will affect the funding they receive from The FA.
  • Piloted the "Football for All" diversity training programme, which will be rolled out across the country from January.
  • The FA also funds a "Report Racism" hotline for people to report any experience of racism in the game. We would always encourage people with complaints to call.

Speaking after an England Team event, organised by The FA to promote Kick It Out's Week of Action, Sol Campbell said: "In England we've done tremendously well to curb racism.

"There are a lot of schemes going on in England and they are working. We are going in the right direction."

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said: "Today's CRE report highlights a number of issues which the Premier League and football as a whole take very seriously.

We are committed to meeting the recommendations on equal opportunity policies and diversity awareness and training.

"Indeed we have already implemented a range of measures that will ensure that the Premier League and its clubs are beyond reproach in terms of equality of opportunity. The development of a Racial Equality Standard, in conjunction with our delivery partner, Kick It Out, and the appointment of a firm of diversity experts to train Premier League and club staff is testament to our desire to not only meet statutory requirements, but to lead in this area."

Lord Herman Ouseley, Chair of Kick It Out, said that there is "good work going on throughout football," adding: "Through education and positive engagement we have been able to make progress at every level of the game."

Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn said: “Football is at the forefront of many social inclusion initiatives and the fight against racism is no different.”


11 October 2004
Sol Campbell on racism


11 October 2004  
Report Racism video

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