Les Ferdinand: FA diversity code 'made no difference' in helping black players get jobs in football

The FA's Football Leadership Diversity Code has made no difference in helping black players get jobs in the game, according to the director of football.

There are more black players in the English Football League than there are black managers.

Only 1.6% of executive, leadership and ownership positions in football are held by black people, according to a new report.

The new report shows that.

• 8.9% of former players active in professional English football (2004-2020) that progressed into 'ex-player' manager/admin roles were black.
• Black players are particularly under-represented in scouting or junior coaching levels.

The Football Association launched a diversity code in 2020 to tackle racial inequality in the English game.

The voluntary code requires all the clubs in the premier league to provide data on their workforce every year.

The head of the FA's inclusion advisory board said at the time that they were trying to "modernize football so it stops relying on its 'little black book' and group of networks." Equal opportunities are what this is about.

Ferdinand is the only black director of football in the country and a founding member of the Black Footballers Partnership.

What is it that it means? It's nice to say something nice. There's been a lot of talk, a lot of politically correct things said, but the numbers haven't changed.

The numbers show that none of those things are being put right.

The Black Footballers Partnership is raising its findings in parliament on Thursday.

Ferdinand, who is black, Asian, and mixed ethnicity, has been in his position at QPR since Tony Fernandes appointed him and wants other black, Asian, and mixed ethnicity ex- players to have the same opportunity.

There are only three black managers in the top two divisions.

The code was introduced in 2020.

• 15% of new executive appointments will be from a black, Asian and mixed race background, with 30% female.
• 25% of new coaching appointments will be BAME and 10% of senior coaching appointments.
• 50% of new coaching appointments at women's football clubs will be female, with 15% BAME.

A lot of players have called me in the past and asked if they could come in and have a conversation. Ferdinand said so. "Umpteen players have come, or former players have come, but how do I get through the door?"

"They are doing the courses and all the things that they feel they need to help them develop as directors of football or other roles but are not being given the chance."

The FA is committed to making sure the diversity of those coaching and leading within English football is reflective of our modern society.

Signing clubs exceeded diversity targets in hiring senior leadership and men's club senior coaches.

8% of our leadership team, 12% of all employees, 20% of our England men's coaching staff, and 4% of our England women's coaching staff come from black, asian, mixed or other groups. We have set targets to increase representation and have been transparent about it.

When the women won the Euros, I was proud of the England men's team at the Euros, which was the most diverse England men's team.

Football needs to grow and improve. Football partners for meaningful change and allows fans to reap the benefits of diverse leadership off the pitch. The reception on Thursday will be the beginning of this.