Anti-racism chief says British game not reflective of society
WORLD football’s most prominent anti-discrimination official has added to criticism of the English game for failing to involve enough black people in governance and management.
Jeffrey Webb, head of Fifa’s anti-racism task force and tipped as a possible future president of the world governing body, says ethnic minority players in this country are “demoralised” by a lack of opportunities once they hang up their boots.
“I understand that more than 30 per cent of the league is made up of people of African descent and over 71 different nationalities playing in the Premier League, but it’s not reflected, they’re not getting an opportunity [to manage],” he said.
“Many of them are becoming very demoralised and these are issues of course that we hope the FA will take on and that of the Premier League. The game must reflect society and the community. It doesn’t do so.”
Webb’s comments come after Football Association chairman Greg Dyke was criticised for naming just one black person, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, on his high-profile commission to discuss the future of the English game.
Norwich boss Chris Hughton is the only black manager in the Premier League and one of only three, including Blackpool’s Paul Ince and Chris Powell of Charlton, in the top four divisions.