Heather Rabbatts, Chair of The Football Association’s Inclusion Advisory Board, has today welcomed recommendations by the Football League to increase representation from black, Asian and minority ethnic minority coaches and managers.
She said: "The Football League's announcement is a significant moment for all of us involved in the game and ensuring that our collective commitment to securing representation of Black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches and managers is realised.
"The Rooney Rule provided a lightning rod across the NFL and The FA and our Inclusion Advisory Board has been working with colleagues to develop a response which together creates a step change.
"A crucial component in achieving this is the Football League and its 72 clubs. This agreement which includes mandatory rules for recruitment into academies together with identifying volunteer clubs to pilot new procedures designed to include BAME candidates on shortlists is a crucial development to increase opportunity and representation.
"It is only by collective action and shared responsibility that we will truly end discrimination and open up the pathways for talent. At The FA, there is a commitment to developing coaches throughout Club England, providing more education and pro licence opportunities for BAME candidates enabling them to apply for jobs, working with the PFA and LMA on the job ready list, and with the Premier League on its Elite Coach Apprenticeship Scheme (ECAS). We all play a role in making real our commitment to bring about change in this area."