Football is racist, blasts report

Englsih football was today accused of failing to deal with racism in a damning new report.

The analysis by the Commission for Racial Equality highlights the dearth of non-white managers, officials and supporters in the game.

CRE chairman Trevor Phillips said: "Football's authorities and clubs are not taking racism seriously. They are clearly not doing enough to promote equal opportunities off the pitch and remove the barriers that prevent ethnic minorities working at all levels of the sport.

"And, despite efforts by clubs and organisations, racism still remains a problem on the terraces and prevents black and Asian supporters going along to matches to support their team."

Despite the large number of black players in top clubs, those who run the game are almost exclusively white and the report points out that every member of the Football Association board and the 92-strong FA council is white and that ethnic minorites are severely under-represented in off-the-field areas.

The CRE said: "The multimillion pound football industry thrives on the skills of players from all ethnic backgrounds. Yet non-white faces make up less than one pe cent of positions off the field, whether in boardrooms, management or the coaching staff - and less than two per cent of supporters on the terraces.

"The report found that 75 per cent of football clubs have informal recruitment practices - if your face fits, you get the job."

The CRE made its conclusions after sending out questionnaires to 92 Premier League and Football League clubs, 43 county football associations and national bodies such as the FA.

It emerged today that the CRE was very disappointed that only 73 per cent of the forms were returned, however - another sign that the issue is not being taken seriously enough.

Although almost all of the Premier League clubs replied to the questionnaire, in the lower divisions the reply rate was as low as 46 per cent.

The football authorities are bound by the 1976 Race Relations Act which makes it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins.

But the report concluded that the majority of professional football league clubs do not give their staff equal opportunities training. Many clubs still have no equal opportunities policy.

There are also hardly any Asian or Chinese players at any level or in any age group.

Announcing an action plan, Phillips said: "Steps have been taken by football's governing bodies.

Last year the All Agency Review Team was set up to make race equality a priority but clearly more needs to be done."

The CRE has appointed former players Paul Elliott and Garth Crooks as special advisors to oversee the plan of action which requires organisations to: