Football Association adopts 'Rooney Rule'

[James fox]

The Football Association will interview at least one applicant from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background for future roles in the England set-up.

English football's governing body will adopt its own version of the 'Rooney Rule' implemented in the NFL in 2003.

Chief executive Martin Glenn said the move showed the "FA is for all".

"The FA wants to become a more inclusive organisation where the workforce more represents the people who play football today," Glenn said.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: "What it will say is the opportunity to have a career beyond playing is something that the FA is serious about promoting."

The Rooney Rule, named after NFL diversity committee chairman Dan Rooney, requires clubs in American football to interview at least one BAME candidate for each head coach or senior football operation vacancy.

The FA says this move will apply to jobs across England teams but BAME applicants will still need to show they meet the relevant recruitment criteria.

English Football League clubs agreed to introduce their own version of the 'Rooney Rule' from 1 January but the same measure has been applied to roles in their academies since June.

Research conducted in November showed 22 of 482 roles across England's top-four leagues were filled by coaches from BAME backgrounds.


Glenn also revealed moves to make it easier for players and staff to air grievances, while clarifying he will oversee attempts to change the culture around the England Women's team in the wake of the Eniola Aluko controversy.

In August of 2017, Chelsea Ladies striker Aluko said she was victimised for reporting discrimination by ex-England women's team manager Mark Sampson.

Sampson was sacked in September following evidence of "inappropriate and unacceptable" behaviour with female players in a previous role.

The FA is now working with UK Sport to create clarity on codes of conduct for players and coaches.

"We want to make sure everyone who puts on the England shirt has a way to air concerns or grievances in a fair, speedy and prompt manner," Glenn added.

"The lessons we had to learn from the Eniola Aluko affair was that we did not have the right procedures in place for elite people to raise concerns. But I think more subtly we did not have the right climate in place for people to feel they could raise their concerns easily. These measures address both of those."


More ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42623021

[Badly Ironed Shirt]

This rule is plain daft. It's similar to a rule that the Beeb introduced insisting there is one woman on each panel show. Many comediennes have turned down invites because they don't want to be seen as the token woman.

The next complaint will be that still too many white people are being employed - I would hope that people will be employed on merit rather than meeting some arbitrary quota and target. By the way, isn't it crazy that no women have ever managed a professional football club?

I'm not convinced that there are fewer black coaches because of rampant racism in the game.

I'd be interested in seeing concrete stats like - number of applicants, number of black/Asian applicants, number of each type invited for interview etc etc. Are there any prospective black coaches/managers whi have applied for many jobs without ever getting an interview?

I think it's important to know the facts before lauding this as anything more than a token gesture (designed to deflect the issue in the women's game), and without such facts we can never know the effectiveness of the rule.

Talking of the women's game, Kelly smith said in September that she wanted or preferred a female to replace Sampson. Imagine if she said "a white". Or "A Welshman".

Positive discrimination is acceptable, but is it any more moral?

[NYCBlue]

Positive discrimination is acceptable, but is it any more moral?

There was a time when every face on TV, the face of every company was that of a white male. And in the UK, a posh, white male. Which meant that if you were not a posh, white male, you were excluded. Until the diversity of the public at large is reflected in business and culture, I have no problem with positive discrimination.

[Tokyo Blue]

Oh good, yet more from those that believe in equality of outcome as opposed to equality of opportunity.

True diversity comes through people that look different.

[Blue in the Face]

Does making a person's career path easier than it should be really help? In my experience, obstacles, miss-steps, error, tests of skill and desire are essential antagonistic forces one needs to truly learn, excel and be the best one can be.

"The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal." – Aristotle

[Joe Gillis]

There was a time when every face on TV, the face of every company was that of a white male. And in the UK, a posh, white male. Which meant that if you were not a posh, white male, you were excluded. Until the diversity of the public at large is reflected in business and culture, I have no problem with positive discrimination.

So, if ten people apply for three vacancies and the three outstanding candidates happen to be white, a Black or Asian candidate is the fourth best candidate and the remaining candidates are not good enough, does that mean the fourth candidate has to get the job?
Isn't that discriminating against one of the more suitably qualified applicants?
Is that really how it works because that doesn't seem right to me.

[lardy]

So, if ten people apply for three vacancies and the three outstanding candidates happen to be white, a Black or Asian candidate is the fourth best candidate and the remaining candidates are not good enough, does that mean the fourth candidate has to get the job?
Isn't that discriminating against one of the more suitably qualified applicants?
Is that really how it works because that doesn't seem right to me.

No. The best person still gets the job.

[ccfc_is_my_life]

No. The best person still gets the job.

Wrong - the post he was referring to had no problem with positive discrimination, which he replied to not the Rooney rule.

The Rooney rule simply doesn't work, it's easily gamed.

In fact, let's expand the Rooney rule further to American sports. Let's have more white basketball players, more white gridiron running backs...

Now with regards to positive discrimination, it's still discrimination. Discrimination in all forms exists - yeah, Ince would have had top level jobs based upon ability and not his name..

[Wales-Bales]

I think there should be more ginger people in football, at least two players in every team. It's not fair I tell you, football is run by gingerists!

[William Treseder]

The very implementation of rules like this, prove that in the modern world discrimination and skin colour/ethnic issues are still rife.
When a job becomes available, in any walk of life, Human beings, who have the right qualifications/experience/desire should apply, or be able to apply if they want to. It really is as simple as that.

[lardy]

The very implementation of rules like this, prove that in the modern world discrimination and skin colour/ethnic issues are still rife.
When a job becomes available, in any walk of life, Human beings, who have the right qualifications/experience/desire should apply, or be able to apply if they want to. It really is as simple as that.

I agree but in the real world people sometimes need a push to assess others equally. Not necessarily because they are being racist but because we're naturally drawn to people who are similar to ourselves.

As a white British male I didn't really appreciate it until I lived in Asia and got overlooked a lot because I was different.

[David Vincent]

I agree but in the real world people sometimes need a push to assess others equally. Not necessarily because they are being racist but because we're naturally drawn to people who are similar to ourselves.

As a white British male I didn't really appreciate it until I lived in Asia and got overlooked a lot because I was different.

You were overlooked because you were not a native. In every part of the world except Western Europe and the English speaking countries it is the norm to give preference to the majority group over minority groups. For example, as an outsider you will pay more for everything than a local. In the West this has been reversed. Preference is given to the minority group. You will find that the Merit verses Quota criterion will be changed so that it always suits the minority group. There is an over-representation of black footballers but that is ok because they are there through merit. There is an under-representation of black managers so we must use the quota rule now instead of merit.

[lardy]

You were overlooked because you were not a native. In every part of the world except Western Europe and the English speaking countries it is the norm to give preference to the majority group over minority groups. For example, as an outsider you will pay more for everything than a local. In the West this has been reversed. Preference is given to the minority group. You will find that the Merit verses Quota criterion will be changed so that it always suits the minority group. There is an over-representation of black footballers but that is ok because they are there through merit. There is an under-representation of black managers so we must use the quota rule now instead of merit.

You speak with a lot of authority for someone who knows absolutely nothing about me. It was a race issue rather than simply not being native and I didn't pay more than locals for everything (or anything).

I found a way to adapt of course, but it wasn't in my chosen career, the area I have a degree in.

[David Vincent]

You speak with a lot of authority for someone who knows absolutely nothing about me. It was a race issue rather than simply not being native and I didn't pay more than locals for everything (or anything).

I found a way to adapt of course, but it wasn't in my chosen career, the area I have a degree in.

In China, India, Thailand and probably every Asian country the governments charge less for natives at all the tourist attractions. That is the official government policy. When it comes to dealing with natives in shops they will charge you whatever they think they can get out of you. If you weren't charged more than the natives then I wonder if this time you think you spent in Asia might be some delusion caused by extra strong spice or a bang on the head.

[ccfc_is_my_life]

Nobody is prevented from applying for a management role though.

The claim is that "oh, you didn't hire me because of the colour of my skin" which those whose skin is pinky white and fail to get the gig can't claim.

The Rooney rule is now outdated in US sport because it leads to token interviews.

Should we have interviewed Paul Ince to manage us rather than just instantly appointing Warnock for example?

[William Treseder]

I agree but in the real world people sometimes need a push to assess others equally. Not necessarily because they are being racist but because we're naturally drawn to people who are similar to ourselves.

As a white British male I didn't really appreciate it until I lived in Asia and got overlooked a lot because I was different.

Good point.

[Rjk]

Good. There is clearly an underrepresentation in managerial roles in football and the Rooney rule has been shown to be effective in some American sports.

[ccfc_is_my_life]

Good. There is clearly an underrepresentation in managerial roles in football and the Rooney rule has been shown to be effective in some American sports.

Employers in US sports employ who they want. Just make sure you interview a minority candidate even if you have no intention of employing them.

[qccfc]

Employers in US sports employ who they want. Just make sure you interview a minority candidate even if you have no intention of employing them.

At least they are then hearing ideas, and processes from different people. In some cases the employer maybe impressed by what they are hearing and take a different course. In some cases (and i would guess the majority) they may then choose what is comfortable to them.

I think everyone want people to get the job on their own merit. However a system which allows more people from different back grounds to display their merits, should surely do no harm.

[ccfc_is_my_life]

At least they are then hearing ideas, and processes from different people. In some cases the employer maybe impressed by what they are hearing and take a different course. In some cases (and i would guess the majority) they may then choose what is comfortable to them.

I think everyone want people to get the job on their own merit. However a system which allows more people from different back grounds to display their merits, should surely do no harm.

Teams, particulrly in NFL cross the "t"s and dot the "i"s to comply. Gruden was appointed Raiders coach incredibly quickly, toekn interviews performed, voila. Owner knows Gruden's history, reputation and ability. He wants to hire him. This whole "oooh someone else might give better ideas" in a sporting context is a load of codswallop.

Let's take a look at player representation in for example NFL. How many white running backs are there, few. Should steps be taken to address that issue too?

If you want people getting the job on own merit then the Rooney rule needs to be scrapped. Given the billions involved in US sport in particular, believing an owner would deliberately turn down the best candidate based upon skin colour is only believed by idiots backing Kaepernick not knowing the actual facts.

[qccfc]

Teams, particulrly in NFL cross the "t"s and dot the "i"s to comply. Gruden was appointed Raiders coach incredibly quickly, toekn interviews performed, voila. Owner knows Gruden's history, reputation and ability. He wants to hire him. This whole "oooh someone else might give better ideas" in a sporting context is a load of codswallop.

Let's take a look at player representation in for example NFL. How many white running backs are there, few. Should steps be taken to address that issue too?

If you want people getting the job on own merit then the Rooney rule needs to be scrapped. Given the billions involved in US sport in particular, believing an owner would deliberately turn down the best candidate based upon skin colour is only believed by idiots backing Kaepernick not knowing the actual facts.

White running backs still get the opportunity to play the game, to play to whatever level their talent dictates, scouts watch them, and then deem them not good enough.

This isnt about black managers getting the job, simply to have a trial (interview) so that their talents can be seem.

As you see in the premiership that club owners fear change with a group of failing managers repeatedly getting jobs at lower end, so I dont expect to see dramatic change in that area.

[Badly Ironed Shirt]

At least they are then hearing ideas, and processes from different people. In some cases the employer maybe impressed by what they are hearing and take a different course. In some cases (and i would guess the majority) they may then choose what is comfortable to them.

I think everyone want people to get the job on their own merit. However a system which allows more people from different back grounds to display their merits, should surely do no harm.

True, but you are working off the assumption that minorities are being deliberately overlooked. Is it true? We don't know how many minorities are applying, and we have no way to compare percentages of white applicants getting an interview v minority applicants that get an interview.

All this rule does is put a token person at the interview stage. I can't see how that will improve the percentage of minorities in management. If it does improve in the next 5 years, then I will still struggle to see that it is the aRooney rule that made a difference.

[qccfc]

True, but you are working off the assumption that minorities are being deliberately overlooked. Is it true? We don't know how many minorities are applying, and we have no way to compare percentages of white applicants getting an interview v minority applicants that get an interview.

All this rule does is put a token person at the interview stage. I can't see how that will improve the percentage of minorities in management. If it does improve in the next 5 years, then I will still struggle to see that it is the aRooney rule that made a difference.

I'd pretty much agree with all you are saying. We know next to nothing about the football application to interview process.

The majority of football managers are ex players, who is to say that these are the better people for these roles. Maybe qualified individuals from outside the sport are better managers. Who knows how many people from outside the football environment actually apply and receive interviews, next to none i would imagine.

I would agree that we wont see an immediate uptake in roles, i agree with a lot of the points made.

However i don't really understand the outrage. There are some positives in the idea, and when its only offering the opportunity of an interview i don't really have a problem with it.

[Rjk]

Employers in US sports employ who they want. Just make sure you interview a minority candidate even if you have no intention of employing them.

But there has been an increase in bame coaches since the introduction of the rule, so perhaps one or two of these interviewees that they've had no intention of employing have surprised them

[ccfc_is_my_life]

But there has been an increase in bame coaches since the introduction of the rule, so perhaps one or two of these interviewees that they've had no intention of employing have surprised them

Increase, sure. Is that due to society changing or the Rooney Rule? I'd frankly be amazed if there was any change due to it.

No rule was needed for Black QBs to have significant number in NFL.

Sport management isn't like normal work. It's not like a chairman puts a job advert out there is it? In almost all cases, chairman has a preferred choice of manager they want. Unless that person pulls out, they get the gig - any interviews merely to conform with the rule which certainly in America is no longer needed.