Football Black List: Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling lead Premier League names on shortlist | Football News
Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling top the Premier League names on football’s blacklist – a move to highlight the game’s most influential black figures.
The Premier League trio were named alongside Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira – the only black manager currently in the English top flight, while Burnley’s Vincent Kompany was also on the list from a coaching perspective.
The list also includes black figures working behind the scenes in football. Brentford non-executive director Deji Davies – the only black member of the Premier League board – and QPR sporting director Les Ferdinand, the only black individual in such a position in the game, are also appointed.
Overall, the football blacklist is divided into eight categories: administration, coaching and management, commercial, community, players, LGBTQ+, media and practitioners.
Image: Patrick Vieira is the Premier League’s only black manager
There’s also Ugo Ehiogu’s Ones To Watch list, which recognizes young talent in the industry under the age of 30.
“We are delighted to share another incredible and inspiring football blacklist. Black excellence shines so brightly in the game and this list highlights that,” said Football Blacklist co-founder Leon Mann MBE.
“I am particularly proud to see that the list now includes board members and managers at the top of the game, but it is clear that we still have a long way to go to see better representation in football.
“However, we recognize those who lead the way. We are proud of these people and the impact they are having.”
See below for the full football blacklist for 2022:
Players
Andre Gray, Aris and Jamaica
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal FC and England
Charlotte Lynch, Leyton Orient Women
Marcus Rashford, Manchester United and England
Raheem Sterling, Chelsea FC and England
Administration
Deji Davies, FA
Jobi McAnuff, FA
Les Ferdinands, QPR
Maheta Molango, PFA
Sarah Gregorius, FIFPRO
Coaching and Management
Aubrey Rogers, Liverpool F.C.
Danetta Powell, Birmingham City F.C.
Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace FC
Paul Nevin, West Ham United and England
Vincent Kompany, Burnley FC
Commercial
Akinola Fashola, West Ham United FC
Akua Agyemfra, Merky and The Balley Consultancy
Freda Ayisi, Content Creator
Liseli Sitali, Sky Sports
Sofia Thomas, Juno Sports Tax
Community and base
Andrew Lovelace, Watford Ladies FC
Habib Olorukoba-Oseni, Cray Wanderers and Welling United Deaf FC
Kerry Phillips, FC Saving Souls
Simon Hyacinthe, FURD
Trisha Lewis, Romance FC
LGBTQ+
Dr. Michael Seeraj, Charlton Athletic Community Trust
Lianne Sanderson, talkSPORT
Media
Carl Anka, athletics
Fatou Jeng, BT Sport
Jemma Archer, Whisper Productions
Pippa Monique, the soccer mum podcast
Nelson Kumah, BBC Sport
Practitioners
Ciaran Baxendale, football beyond borders
Iffy Onoura, Premier League
Lauren Impey, PGMOL
Michael Hamilton, AFC Wimbledon
Dr Paul Campbell, University of Leicester
Those of Ugo Ehiogu to watch
Cordell Lake-Benjamin, Palace for Life Foundation
Debra Nelson, Football Beyond Borders
J’nae Ward, Refresh Sport Consultancy and Productions
Siham Abdullahi, Buzz 16
Tyra Mills, Kinetic Foundation