Suella Braverman has called for the FA to scrap their policy (Image: Getty)
The Football Association have responded and refused to abandon the target for nearly a third of England men’s coaches to be non-white after Suella Braverman demanded the proposal be scrapped. Braverman, Reform UK’s equalities spokesperson, wrote to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham on Tuesday in a bid to discard a policy that she described as « racist » and « utter work nonsense ».
A target within the FA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy aims for 30 per cent of England’s men’s coaching personnel to be from ethnically diverse backgrounds by 2028. In a post on X, Braverman shared a photograph of her letter to Bullingham with the caption: « The @FA Football Association wants to mandate that 1 in 4 football coaches come from a Black, Asian or other minority background.
« As the saying in football goes, this is utter woke nonsense. The game’s gone. Fans don’t care what the coach looks like. They just want the best person for the job, based on merit alone. That’s what gets results. Not tokenism.
« I’ve written to the FA urging a rethink. I’m happy to help them draw up a fairer policy. Let’s kick racism out of football, including anti-white racism. »
Former home secretary Braverman, who defected to Reform from the Conservatives in January, also stated in her letter that the proposal is « fundamentally flawed, inherently racist and bad for the game ». She maintains that the « best coaches should get the job » and « not because of their skin colour ».
Braverman, who served the Conservatives for 24 years before switching to Reform, stated: « The best coaches should get the job, not because of their skin colour, but because they are the best person for the job. »
Reacting to Braverman’s statement and letter, an FA spokesperson said that the EDI strategy aims to ensure the game « reflects the full diversity of our nation » and is « proud » of this initiative.
Suella Braverman has urged the FA to abandon the policy (Image: Getty)
An FA spokesperson commented: « Football has the unique ability to break down barriers and bring communities together. Through our EDI strategy, we aim to ensure the game reflects the full diversity of our nation.
« This involves opening up pathways and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds – including those from historically under-represented groups. While we will always adopt a meritocratic approach by appointing the best people for roles, we also recognise the importance of having a broader range of participants across the sport.
« We are proud that our strategy is supporting the growth of football among men, women, boys and girls from all communities. »
Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, said: « Reform should keep their toxic politics out of our national game. Sport belongs to everyone in our country. It unites us and brings us together, which is exactly why Reform has such a problem with it. »
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