Palios on racism

Mark Palios, FA Chief Executive, told TheFA.com: "The FA is greatly encouraged that, on racism, the IFC reports that ‘Football has achieved a great deal, notably the integration of black players and successful spectator education'.

"We are proud that English football is praised by UEFA as leading in Europe in promoting diversity and refusing to tolerate racist abuse. However, we share the IFC’s concern that there is still more to do.

"The FA is passionate about ensuring that all people are treated fairly and with respect in football. We are committed to on-going action, identifying where inequalities exist, and taking firm steps to address them.

"In 2004 The FA will be taking action to improve representation and diversity within The FA. The FA Board decided last year to introduce co-options to FA committees to bring in new talent and to enable an input from areas of the game that are not represented through the traditional structures. By April we want to begin recruitment to our committees.

"All appointments will be on the basis of ability - positive action aimed at ensuring the effective governance and integrity of the game.

"The FA plans to go further than the IFC report recommends. We also need to ensure that there is greater representation of women and people with disabilities.

"We will take on-going action based on consensus - as the governing body The FA has to lead football but do so in partnership with the other football authorities. They have already shown their strong support."

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore added: "What we have to look at is whether in senior management positions we are representing the communities we serve.

"Are we as diverse as those communities?'', he asked in an interview on BBC Radio Five Live. "I can see that maybe we are not as diverse as we might be - and that is what we need to address."

The Government-backed report is to be published this afternoon and is expected to call for more work to improve the racial mix of those involved in playing, coaching and watching football.

Relevant Information

Our Ethics and Sports Equity strategy was developed in 2002 and we have already achieved the preliminary level of the ‘Sporting Equals’ race equality programme. This is work undertaken in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and we aim to achieve the intermediate level by the end of 2004.

In 2003 The FA published a ‘Football for All’ strategy, which sets out our aspirations and plans to face the challenges of inclusivity. Our highest priority so far has been a comprehensive programme of Child Protection.

The FA appointed its first-ever independent Committee Chair in 2003 in Kate Barker. Kate is a highly-respected member of the Bank of England monetary policy committee, and is now Chair of The FA Financial Advisory Committee - the body which has recently set out a plan to improve the game’s financial governance in 2004.

The FA tackles discrimination of any kind in the game and the subject is also part of The FA’s disciplinary review, being undertaken by Brendon Batson. Cases of racial and other discriminatory abuse have been subject to specific disciplinary rules for some time already, and there are severe sanctions in place for those who break them.

Ethics and Sports Equity Strategy

The FA’s Ethics and Sports Equity Strategy underpins all of our work:

Representation

· 10% of The FA’s workforce are from ethnic minorities, our preferred suppliers for recruitment have been selected for the diversity of the workforce they attract

· Job adverts are circulated to a database of over 1500 community groups and representatives of the minority ethnic communities

· The FA uses images that reflect the diversity of England

· In the build-up to Euro 2004 and Women’s Euro 2005 we will be taking positive action to increase the diversity of England fans and supporters

· englandfans - The Official Supporters Club - has a Code of Conduct which all members must sign. Any racist behaviour results in immediate expulsion

· County FAs are being encouraged to set up race equality programmes

· Race equality targets have been set for all Football Development Programmes

· Talented youngsters programme with the Premier League providing for talent scouts to target ethnic minorities

Funding

· The Football Foundation has awarded grants totalling over a million pounds towards projects focusing on ethnic minorities

· The FA provides funding for 'Kick It Out' and 'Show Racism the Red Card' campaigns

Communication

· 'England against Racism' - a 6-month campaign to target racism at England games, in the wake of the England v Turkey match in Sunderland.

David Beckham delivered a personal message condemning racism
Every England match programme carried an article condemning racism

· 'England against Racism' car stickers were distributed at England v Croatia

· Quarterly updates to representative community groups, new monthly column in 'The Voice'

· 'Football for All' Conference - to listen, learn and deliver through communication with minority ethnic communities

· 'Asians in Football' working group - working to support the National Game Division with initiatives to encourage more Asians into football

· 'Beacon' clubs - such as Highfield Rangers FC in Leicester with whom we are working to ensure there is an awareness of opportunities at all levels

Reporting

· Rules and regulations - there are increased sanctions for racist offences

· A dedicated reporting system via telephone 0207 745 4909, email footballforall@TheFA.com or by post for racist incidents

· Met Police project - a joint initiative between the Met Police, The FA and County FAs covering London to look at ways in which racist offences can be reported

Education and training

· Diversity training for senior managers in County FAs piloted; Training provided for football Development Officers. Diversity awareness project - working with football authorities to develop a competence model across football