Football Association begins process of adding greater diversity to its board
The Football Association has opened the process of adding greater diversity to its board following this summer’s public row over appointing Paul Elliott as a director.
FA chairman Greg Clarke claimed the Premier League and EFL blocked the move in July, which he later backtracked on after a joint statement insisting his comments did not reflect the “true nature of the discussions”.
Elliott, who has been working on the Football Leadership Diversity Code with clubs and players, has revealed talks have now started and could be implemented by the end of the season.
“Over the next nine months, a detailed board review will be undertaken and once an outline and proposal has been agreed by the board, this will go through the relevant formal approval processes,” said Elliott. “I am delighted that these discussions are under way.
“Making the FA Board more diverse is something that both Mark Bullingham and Greg Clarke are fully supportive of, but it's not something either they or the board have the power to change by themselves overnight.
“The composition of the FA Board is enshrined in the FA’s Articles of Association, a legal document that can only be changed by shareholders in accordance with company law.
“To change the articles requires approval from the FA Board and FA Council, before formal approval is requested from shareholders. As there are several ways to further diversify the board, different options must also be considered before an approval process begins.”
Elliott is due to unveil the Football Leadership Diversity Code next month. Telegraph Sport revealed the plan was for the launch to coincide with Black History Month in the UK.
Talks have been aimed at setting targets for diversity rather than quotas, which would lead to boardrooms and leadership positions having a better representation of black and minority ethnic people.
England captain Harry Kane has supported the code, Elliott revealed in an open letter on his work. Jordan Henderson, Tyrone Mings, Troy Deeney and Wes Morgan have also backed the campaign.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City were the teams listed who have discussed the code with Elliott, with the final version and targets of the code still being finalised.
