UK: FA appoints new chair to anti-discrimination panel
The Football Association has appointed a new chair to its anti-discrimination panel, pledging to tackle the issue head on.
According to HR Magazine, employment lawyer Tariq Sadiq will head the FA’s panel, which has recruited more than 50 new personnel to deal with allegations of discrimination in football clubs nationwide.
Sadiq pledged to make sure that staff do not face ‘reprisals’ for raising allegations of homophobia.
He said: “Discrimination could take many forms, from racial abuse to homophobia or sexism. It’s important that people feel they can report this without recrimination or reprisals.
“New whistleblowing laws incorporate the fact protection requires an element of a disclosure being in the public interest. I’d be surprised if that was not seen as the case in football.
“Whether it’s racist language or homophobic abuse, people need to know that it’s unacceptable.
“Often this will go on in backroom activity behind closed doors, so it’s important that everyone is aware this needs to be dealt with in the case of all employees.”
Pledging to “lead from the front”, he added: “We have gone out and recruited 50 people from all backgrounds so it is a very diverse group.
“We have people from ethnic minorities, people who are openly gay and disabled people. We need to reflect the diversity and acceptance we are encouraging within our own staff.”
