Premier League: action plan to improve the representation of British South Asian players

The Premier League, in conjunction with Kick It Out (anti-racism campaign in football), has launched the "South Asian Action Plan" (SAAP) to "address the underrepresentation of British South Asian (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.) players within the academy system," announced the English League on 28/04/2022.

"The new initiative will support one of the key commitments of the League's ongoing No Room For Racism Action Plan (see below), to enhance player pathways and help diversify the workforce within the professional game. The SAAP will have an initial focus on players entering the Academy system in the U9 to U11 age groups, when most boys join a club," explained the Premier League.

The action plan "will include analysis and research to better understand what the current barriers to entry are for South Asian players. Alongside this, increasing South Asian representation within the academy workforce will be a key component of the action taken, as well as providing equality, diversity and inclusion education sessions for existing Talent ID and recruitment professionals," added the…