Racial discrimination is still prevalent in the world of soccer, particularly in the roles of coaches and managers in England. Although efforts have been made to address this problem, studies have shown that racial minorities remain underrepresented in top coaching positions and frequently experience workplace discrimination. This article uses several statistics and references to illustrate the scope of racial discrimination experienced by soccer coaches in England.
According to Statista, in the share of roles in professional football in England as of February 2022, by ethnicity for managerial and administrative roles, blacks make up for only 8.9% as against 91.1% of non-blacks. As a result, there is a significant lack of diversity among the coaching ranks, which reflects the underrepresentation of racial minorities in senior coaching positions. Only 4.4% of professional football managers in England were Black as of February 2022, compared to 43 per cent of Premier League players. The number of Black executives and owners was less than two per cent.
It has also been identified that racial discrimination is a major issue during the coaching hiring process. An investigation published by the Runnymede Trust in 2020 found that black and ethnic minority coaches are more likely to be interviewed for coaching positions in lower tiers of English soccer, even when their qualifications and experience are similar to their white counterparts. The hiring process may be affected by unconscious biases and discriminatory practices.
Racial discrimination can have devastating effects on BAME coaches, with many experiencing harassment, discrimination, and isolation daily.
Several organizations, including the PFA and Kick It Out, have launched campaigns to combat racial discrimination in soccer and promote diversity in coaching. Nevertheless, progress has been slow, and more needs to be done to ensure that BAME coaches are treated equally.
In conclusion, racial discrimination plays a significant role in the world of soccer coaching in England, with underrepresentation and discriminatory hiring practices prevalent. This article contains statistics and references that illustrate the need to continue promoting diversity and combating discrimination to ensure that coaches of all races have equal opportunities.
