Boost Referee Diversity! UK Media: UK Organization Pushing for More Black, Asian, and Female Referees in English Football

On July 21, according to a report by The Guardian, the UK organization BAMREF is working to give a voice to black, Asian, and female referees. They are pushing the English Football Association to allow more diverse groups to officiate football matches, aiming to increase diversity among match officials.

In last season’s Premier League, Sam Allison became the first black Premier League referee in 15 years, officiating the match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in December.

Joel Mannix, founder of BAMREF, said, “Everything we do is aimed at making this profession appealing. If refereeing is seen as a middle-class job and only allows male referees on the pitch, then we will never attract people from outside this demographic.”

This year’s BAMREF refereeing conference will feature talks and workshops led by an all-female refereeing panel, focusing on increasing the number of women from diverse backgrounds entering refereeing. According to BAMREF statistics, out of nearly 37,000 referees in the UK, only 243 are black, Asian, or female.

“We want to empower female referees who know they will face obstacles, but we can help them overcome these barriers. I believe it will be a very enriching experience for everyone involved.”

“If you look at the diversity of the England men’s team at the Euros, there should be many more black and Asian referees in the Premier League than there currently are.”