PFA calls on EFL to strengthen ‘Rooney Rule’

The English Football League’s version of the “Rooney Rule” should be strengthened to improve the under-representation of ethnic minorities in management and coaching positions.

The call comes from the Professional Footballers’ Association, which on Tuesday set out statistics on diversity levels within its organisation.

England and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling insists more must be done to improve the number of black players progressing into the managerial ranks.

The EFL’S recruitment code made it mandatory from this season for its member clubs to interview at least one ethnic minority candidate in any recruitment process. However, the PFA says too often an informal process is run, without a short-list, which means clubs are not giving opportunities to ethnic minority candidates.

It has called on the EFL to set out how many ethnic minority candidates were interviewed for first-team manager and other coaching positions by its clubs in the 2019-20 season.

“Interviewing BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) candidates for the position of a first-team manager only becomes mandatory when clubs initiate a short-listing process and interview more than one candidate,” a PFA statement read.

“This means that clubs targeting a specific candidate or prioritising a quick appointment can potentially bypass the recruitment code. We are calling for the recruitment code to be mandatory for every managerial appointment, as of next season.”

Former Celtic defender Paul Elliott, the chair of the FA’S inclusion advisory board, is urging clubs and governing bodies to increase the level of ethnic minority representation at the top of their organisations. He wants clubs and administrators to adopt the voluntary Equality In Football Leadership code. He said: “Don’t be silent. Football must unite against inequality. Join in and make football and society fair for all.”