Overview
- The Football Association said it will keep its goal for at least 25% of England men’s coaches to come from non-white backgrounds by 2028, with a stretch target of 30%.
- Suella Braverman wrote to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham urging the target be scrapped, calling it “utter woke nonsense” and “inherently racist” and proposing a replacement principle she calls “The Best Person for the Job.”
- The FA defended the policy as a way to open pathways for underrepresented groups while insisting appointments will remain merit-based and focused on hiring the best people.
- Senior politicians pushed back on Braverman’s intervention, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy telling Reform UK to keep “toxic politics” out of football and Labour MPs arguing wider opportunity helps find overlooked talent.
- Context from campaigners shows why targets are on the table, with a 2023 Black Footballers Partnership report finding only 4.4% of management roles held by Black employees and Kick It Out urging the new regulator to hardwire EDI into club licensing, while ex-England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said such steps help candidates pursue coaching on merit today.