FA set big diversity targets after two English players were the 'most abused on social media' at Euro 2024
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The Football Association is set to unveil a new equality, diversity and inclusion strategy aimed at tackling the concerning trend of discriminatory abuse targeting England players.
A four-year plan, revealed by the Daily Mail, outlines several key initiatives to combat the sickening abuse that England footballers have faced in recent years.
The comprehensive strategy marks a significant step in the FA's commitment to driving meaningful change across English football.
Among the key targets, the FA aims to ensure 25 per cent of England men's coaching staff are from black, Asian, mixed or other ethnic backgrounds (BAME), while setting a higher target of 50 per cent for the women's coaching staff.
The Football Association is set to unveil a new equality, diversity and inclusion strategy aimed at tackling the concerning trend of discriminatory abuse targeting England players
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The strategy includes ambitious workforce diversity goals, with plans to have women comprise half of their total workforce, with 20 per cent from BAME backgrounds.
The FA will also make reporting of diversity numbers mandatory across professional football.
Additional focus will be placed on growing a more diverse pool of referees and increasing representation among players and coaches.
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England duo Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka were among the most abused players at Euro 2024
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Recent evidence highlights the ongoing issue, with a UEFA human rights report from Euro 2024 revealing Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham as the most severely abused players during the tournament.
This follows a disturbing pattern, as Saka, along with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, were subjected to online racial abuse after missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
The FA's internal reporting shows concerning trends across all levels of the game.
The FA has set an ambitious target for its own workforce, aiming to have 14 per cent of all employees be members from the LGBTQ+ community by 2028.
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According to the FA's report, there has been a 47 per cent rise in racist abuse across all levels of football and a 44 per cent increase in instances of sexism and misogyny.
Current BAME coaching representation across England men's teams stands at 19 per cent, falling short of the new 25 per cent target.
The transition comes at a crucial time, with uncertainty around whether incoming England head coach Thomas Tuchel will include ethnically diverse coaches in his backroom staff.
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Previous England setups have included BAME coaches Chris Powell, Paul Nevin, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott.
The FA's strategy also includes strong support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in English football through the Rainbow Laces campaign.
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The governing body has set an ambitious target for its own workforce, aiming to have 14 per cent of all employees be members of the LGBTQ+ community by 2028.
These initiatives form part of the FA's broader commitment to creating a more inclusive environment across all levels of English football.
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