Southampton have defended their decision not to sign up to the Football Association’s new Football Leadership Diversity Code and are still likely to join the other 19 Premier League sides in adopting its principles, i can reveal.
Having spent five years working towards improving the diversity of their organisation, club officials want to ensure they do not have to undo some of their extensive work in this area.
Clubs were sent an email about the launch 10 days in advance and though many key figures in football were consulted – such as Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish – some considered it too short notice.
More than 40 clubs across English football became the code’s “founding signatories” yesterday. Southampton were aware that they would be the only top-flight club not participating at this stage but want to take more time to ensure signing up is the right decision.
The new code does not, for example, set targets for hiring female coaches in men’s professional clubs, an area Southampton are already working towards improving.
As i revealed in August, the code, which was launched on Tuesday, proposes a bold shake-up of English football to improve the lack of diversity at clubs.
New targets focus on future recruitment, including that 25 per cent of new coaches and 10 per cent of new senior coaches be black, Asian or of mixed-heritage.
In senior leadership and operational roles, 15 per cent of new staff must be black, Asian or of mixed-heritage and a third female. In women’s professional clubs, 50 per cent of new hires must be female and 15 per cent from a black, Asian or mixed-heritage background.
Shortlists for any position will have at least one female and one male candidate who is black, Asian or of mixed-heritage, the code demands.
“Many clubs are already doing good work in this area and we have been pleased to see football stand together this year to challenge the injustice we are seeing in society,” said Paul Elliott, chair of the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board and creator of the code.
“However, positive and tangible action is required to drive change and take the next step.
“We believe the introduction of the Football Leadership Diversity Code will signal a long-term change for the English game. The number and stature of clubs that have already agreed to join us on this journey proves that together, with clear goals, transparency and a desire for action, we can shape a better future together. We hope more clubs join us as we move forward.”
A Southampton spokesman said: “In 2020 Southampton achieved the Premier League’s Advanced Equality Standard at the first time of asking, the only club to have achieved this to date.
“This achievement was the culmination of a five-year equality and diversity journey, which includes setting and monitoring recruitment targets amongst a number of other E&D initiatives forming our action plan. Southampton are wholly supportive of the Football Leadership Diversity code objectives. We are aware that the Premier League are revising their Equality Standard to bring the two closer together.
“At this time the club consider the most appropriate course of action is to wait and understand how a revised Premier League Equality Standard and the Football Leadership Diversity Code will complement each other before revising our recruitment targets and already established processes.
“We have had productive and encouraging discussions with Paul Elliott on this topic and will continue to work closely with him on this.”
A Premier League spokesman said: “The Premier League supports the introduction of the Football Leadership Diversity Code and is embedding the principles within its ongoing work, including the Premier League Equality Standard programme for clubs.
“The voluntary code complements the significant work the league and its clubs have already undertaken, demonstrating our collective and continued commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across the game.
“We firmly believe there should be no barrier to entry or opportunity in any area of football. Working alongside our colleagues at the FA, EFL, PGMOL, PFA, LMA and Kick It Out, we will continue to improve policy and practices to tackle underrepresentation with the aim of creating long-term change.”
Founding members – Football Leadership Diversity Code
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Blackburn Rovers
- Bolton Wanderers
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Brentford
- Burnley
- Burton Albion
- Cambridge United
- Chelsea
- Coventry City
- Coventry United
- Crystal Palace
- Derby County
- Durham Women
- England
- Everton
- Fleetwood Town
- Fulham
- Ipswich Town
- Leeds United
- Leicester City
- Lewes
- Lincoln City
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Newcastle United
- Norwich City
- Nottingham Forest
- Oxford United
- Plymouth Argyle
- Portsmouth
- Queens Park Rangers
- Sheffield United
- Stoke City
- Swansea City
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Watford
- West Ham United
- West Bromwich Albion
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2Jf4LpR
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