The English Football Association (FA) has set itself a numerical objective in order to diversify the technical staff of national teams, in a country where the low number of black coaches has sparked criticism.
Many black players succeed in football in England, but very few have opportunities to become coaches afterwards. This is, in essence, what former footballers have regretted in recent years across the Channel. This Tuesday, the English Football Federation (FA) announced that it wanted to diversify the staff of its national teams, starting with the men’s A team led by the German Thomas Tuchel.
The FA wants at least 25% of the staff members of its men’s teams to be “black, Asian, mixed or of another ethnic origin” by 2028, and ideally aims for 30%. This is an increase from the current figure of 19%. Former English footballers, including internationals Les Ferdinand and Sol Campbell, are campaigning in this direction. According to a study by the Black Footballers Partnership (BFP), 43% of Premier League players are black.
Women’s selections also affected
“Tackling discrimination is one of our essential ambitions. We will continue to unite football in order to confront this societal problem”said Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the FA. The latter also wishes to strengthen ethnic diversity in its female teams, aiming to increase from 4% to 15% by 2028, and aspires to further feminize the staff in question.
England lost the 2021 Euro final to Italy following missed penalties from Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. The three players, Saka in particular, were then victims of numerous racist attacks on social networks. A situation which scandalized the world of English football.
Senegal
