The
Football Association is to fast-track ethnic minorities and women onto its
committees after a critical report by the Independent Football Commission
(IFC).
The
IFC report provided a series of recommendations after claiming a lack of ethnic
minorities in key positions was making the FA and the game in general look
unrepresentative.
Mark
Palios, the FA’s chief executive said the decision-making structure of the FA
board was being changed to allow one-year co-options onto committees to help
draft in new talent.
The
FA has also promised to start recruiting for three new committees, which will
be more representative of the game by including more women, people with
disabilities and ethnic minorities.
By
the end of this year, the organisation will extend this positive action policy
to all committees and ultimately the main FA board.
"We
are proud that English football is praised by the European football
association, UEFA, as leading in Europe in promoting diversity and refusing to
tolerate racist abuse. However, we share the IFC’s concern that there is still
more to do," said Palios.
"The
FA is passionate about ensuring that all people are treated fairly and with
respect in football. We are committed to ongoing action, identifying where
inequalities exist, and taking firm steps to address them."
