By Andrew Warshaw
October 29- Fifa vice-president Jeffrey Webb, who heads the organisation’s anti-discrimination task force, says English football needs to seriously address the issue of coaching and management opportunities for retired black players and other ethnic minorities.
Webb, who was in London last week as a guest of the English FA as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, says non-white players are “demoralised” once they hang up their boots.
Despite a multi-racial attitude throughout the English professional and part-time leagues and a complete lack of discrimination, Norwich City’s Chris Hughton is the only black manager in the Premier League and Blackpool’s Paul Ince and Charlton Athletic’s Chris Powell the only ones in the Football League following the departure of Chris Kiwomya from Notts County.
“I understand that more than 30 percent of the league is made up of people of African descent and over 71 different nationalities playing in the Premier League, but it’s not reflected, they’re not getting an opportunity [to manage],” Webb told the BBC.
“Many of them are becoming very demoralised and these are issues of course that we hope the FA will take on and that of the Premier League. The [English] game must reflect society and the community. It doesn’t do so.”
While in London, Webb spoke to Yaya Touré, the Manchester City midfielder who claims he suffered racist abuse from CSKA Moscow fans during a Champions League match in Russia last week. Uefa have opened an inquiry into the case, with a verdict expected Wednesday.
Touré provided details of what he believes happened and, according to Concacaf — which is headed by Webb — agreed to assist with educational programmes planned by Webb’s anti-racism panel.