The Independent Football Regulator has decided not to expand its role in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in football, despite calls from Kick It Out to do so. Following a second round of consultation on its licensing terms, the regulator has chosen not to set equality, diversity, and inclusion targets for clubs or require them to submit annual reports on the demographic makeup of their staff.
Kick It Out, a leading advocacy group, has been pushing for the regulator to take a more active role in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion since its inception last year. The group's chief executive, Samuel Okafor, had previously described the regulator's initial proposals as inadequate, stating that they relegated equality to a secondary priority.
The regulator responded to these criticisms by stating that it was premature to assert deficiencies in its approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion, given that it was preparing to launch a second consultation on its licensing policy. Although the regulator considered Kick It Out's requests during the consultation process, it ultimately concluded that setting equality, diversity, and inclusion targets and requiring annual reporting were outside its remit.
The regulator's primary focus is on promoting financial sustainability across the men's professional game and preventing mismanagement, as seen in the case of Bury's expulsion from the English Football League in 2019. The Football Governance Act, which established the regulator, did not grant it the authority to set equality, diversity, and inclusion targets for clubs. Instead, the regulator believes that promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion is a matter for the Football Association, which has taken steps to increase diversity in coaching and executive positions.
The Football Association has introduced a voluntary football leadership diversity code, which includes targets for driving diversity and inclusion. However, clubs have not met these targets, and the association has since strengthened the code by making reporting mandatory and introducing sanctions for non-compliance.
The regulator's licensing system does require clubs to report on their actions to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion in their corporate governance statements. However, Kick It Out regards this as insufficient and is expected to make a public statement after the regulator's updated licensing rules are published next month.
The regulator has declined to comment on the content of its updated rules but has stated that equality, diversity, and inclusion are key elements of the Football Governance Act. The regulator is currently developing an equality, diversity, and inclusion policy for the clubs it oversees and is engaging with organizations such as Kick It Out to ensure best practice.
The regulator's approach to diversity has faced criticism, particularly with regards to the composition of its board, which does not include a director from a minority ethnic background. Despite this, the regulator is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in football and is working with advocacy groups to achieve this goal. A Kick It Out spokesperson has stated that the group looks forward to further discussions with the regulator about its proposals for the club code of governance, with the aim of shaping a future where football truly represents the communities it serves.
