Football authorities and the government have agreed to work together to see what more can be done to tackle discrimination and encourage greater diversity in football.
Sports Minister Helen Grant met with FA Inclusion Advisory Board chair Heather Rabbatts recently and both have agreed to bring key figures from across football together in a meeting in the new year to complement the work of the IAB and the ongoing actions from football's Inclusion & Anti-Discrimination plan.
Grant wants to ensure a momentum is maintained with those governing the game that coaches from BAME background continue to rise through the ranks to the top of the sport.
“We all need to continue to work together, to address the lack of BAME representation beyond the pitch and the 'closed systems' which maintain it”
Heather Rabbatts
FA Inclusion Advisory Board chair
She believes in meritocracy, rather than the introduction of any sort of quota system, but thinks that a concerted effort is needed from constituents across football to bring change.
Grant and Rabbatts want to look at the need for greater transparency in the recruitment process in football and creating proper pathways for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic [BAME] backgrounds to come through.
The FA has also responded to a report by the FARE network and the Sports People's Think Tank on the under-representation of BAME coaches in football.
Rabbatts said: "We welcome this report at The FA. It adds further evidence that bodies across the game need to work together to challenge discrimination.
"This report underlines why we all need to continue to work together, to address the lack of BAME representation beyond the pitch and the 'closed systems' which maintain it.
"At The FA, we are committed to the long term programme of change from working with the PFA on preparing ex-players for the boardroom with the On Board programme, to developing our coach educator workforce from BAME backgrounds and introducing new mentoring opportunities for BAME coaches with the England Development Teams.
"We look forward to discussing these ideas with the FARE network and the Sports People's Think Tank and also working with the Sports Minister to bring all parties together to maintain the momentum of change and build, on the work already underway across the game."
