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Ex-Chelsea star Sinclair livid at ‘lack of action’ to appoint more BAME coaches
FOR Frank Sinclair, visibility is one of the key factors in tackling racism in football.
Of the 90 Premier League and EFL clubs in England, only four are currently managed by coaches from a black or ethnic minority background.
The pathway for former black players to managerial roles is still strewn with barriers, while their white counterparts appear to have no such obstacles.
Former Chelsea, Leicester and Burnley defender Sinclair has a new role as head of coaching development with League Two Port Vale.
But the 48-year-old wants to see more done to ensure greater representation for black managers and coaches.
“What I do see is a lot of lip service and a lack of action,” he said. “When I look at my black peers, who’ve played the game and gone into coaching and management, there are so many I think,
CAMPAIGN ‘Have they really had a fair opportunity?’.
“Paul Ince c aptained England and played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, but had to start his managerial career at Macclesfield Town.
“Others are getting better opportunities higher up, like Steven Gerrard at Rangers and Frank Lampard at Chelsea, who had similar careers to Paul.
“There’s an imbalance in the opportuni ties black coaches are getting, when they finish playing and go into coaching and management – the visibility is poor.
“Unless we get equality of job opportunity, it’s always going to be difficult for black coaches to inspire the players playing now.
“If they can’t visibly see it, it’s not encouraging them to say, ‘I’m going to go down that route and get into coaching and management’.”
At the very top positions at the FA, UEFA and other administrations, there is little or no black representation either. “Look at what Paul Elliott has done at the
FA, at governance level and for equality in the game,” said Sinclair. “But when he attempts to get on the board, he’s voted against. That sums up the lack of inclusivity at the top of the game.
“They’re reluctant to make these people equal. Until that happens, there’s always going to be a problem.
“Until the likes of Jason Roberts, who is doing unbelievable work with CONCACAF, is able to join UEFA, they’re never going to see why he’s on a mission to strive for diversity.
“Unless you’ve experienced racism, it’s very difficult to have empathy with what it really feels like and what needs to be done.”
Sinclair who won the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup as a player, cited Port Vale as a progressive, forward-thinking club.
“There’s a handful you can look at and say, ‘ There’s diversity there’,” added Sinclair. “I’d include Port Vale. From having a black head of coaching and an Asian head of the academy, these things need to be talked about.”
‘Look at what Paul Elliott has done at the FA, but is voted against when he tried to get on the board’
‘Paul Ince captained England and played for huge clubs.. he had to start at Macclesfield’