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<p>The Government is in regular dialogue with the Football Association (FA) across
a range of matters, including diversity. We welcomed the launch of the FA’s ‘Football
Leadership Diversity Code’ which is a step in the right direction to ensure English
football better represents our modern and diverse society, on and off the pitch. The
Code commits clubs to tackling inequality, including hiring targets, across senior
leadership positions, broader team operations and coaching roles. The FA has also
committed to following this with a version adapted for the National League System
and grassroots clubs in Spring 2021.</p><p>Ministers discussed the Code with the FA,
as well as other matters including tackling discrimination, in a roundtable with key
football stakeholders in November 2020.</p><p>The Government is also committed to
working with all sports to ensure opportunities to progress are open to all, from
athletes to administrators, to board members. As an example of this, in July 2020
Sport England and UK Sport announced a joint review of the Code for Sports Governance.
The Code sets out the levels of transparency, accountability and financial integrity
required from those who ask for government and National Lottery funding. It currently
says that organisations must show a "strong and public commitment" to progressing
ethnic diversity. However, it is right to review this to ensure that opportunities
to progress are open to all. The Government will be working with UK Sport and Sport
England to set new expectations and ensure the sport sector leads by example.</p><p>However,
there is still progress to be made and the Government will continue to liaise closely
with the football authorities on their efforts to improve diversity in the sport.</p><p>
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