Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings expresses how pleased he was in addressing his voice towards tackling inequality in the game proving accountability and progress can be made
By Cameron Gillies
Tyrone Mings is one of many who has called for football to address the lack of black representation in positions of power, inspiring the new Leadership Diversity Code
Enough is enough they said, enough of being accused of playing the race card they said, they’ve had enough of being patient. Football’s passionate black figures such as Mings have aimed to tackle inequality across senior positions and coaching roles across the sport for many months. Has progress finally been made?
Chair of the FA’s Advisory Board, Paul Elliott, announced this afternoon that he’s been inspired by many key stars to take forward their new Leadership Diversity Code. Elliott received professional advice from the elite performers including the likes of Tyrone Mings as well as PFA’s Bobby Barnes. The FA’s Advisory Board praised their feedback as ‘’extremely powerful.’’
Having over 40 club’s sign-up, it sees 19 of the 20 Premier League sides- Southampton the only club not to join, EFL and Women’s Championship throughout English football looking to support the move.
Southampton said they are ‘’wholly supportive’’ of the FA’s Code, adding ‘’we achieved the Premier League’s Advanced Equality Standard at the first time of asking. ‘’We have had productive and encouraging discussions with Paul Elliott on the topic and will continue to
work closely with him on this.’’
Many see it as great news, such as Paul Elliott who was ‘’over the moon’’. But out of the 112 clubs from men and women’s leagues, only 40 have took part, causing controversy to why this isn’t a must for all clubs.
Tyrone Mings said, there is ‘’Still a lot more to be done but great to finally see actions being put in place.’’
Mings who has been the rock of Villas defense recently, had a tough time last year when making his debut for England away in Sofia, which saw him and fellow team mate Raheem Stirling experience extreme racial hatred over there 6-0 win against Bulgaria. Since the horrific event the 27-year-old has stood up to racism over the last 12 months in hope of a brighter future.
Tyrone Mings said, ‘’We showed a professional side of ourselves that we came away from that game with more unity and a sense of togetherness knowing we went through an unsavory situation.’’
Likewise, with Raheem Stirling and other black players, coaches and administrators, Mings has joined in becoming control of their own destiny, proving advancement can be made. However, long it may take.
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