THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL BLACK LIST MAKES A RETURN
THE FOOTBALL Black List celebration (FBL) returns as an in-person event in London today, with a special evening in store.
The event, supported by the Premier League, is an initiative shining a light on the most influential Black people in British football.
Premier League stars Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford join managers Patrick Vieira and Vincent Kompany, as well as former Lioness, Lianne Sanderson on the Football Black List.
Deji Davies, Non-Executive Director at Brentford FC, the only Black board member at a Premier League club, Les Ferdinand, the only Black Director of Football in the game, and FA Board member, Jobi McAnuff, also make the list.
Making a grand return as an in person celebration evening for the first time since 2019, the event will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter Jaydee Dyer and ESPN broadcaster Alexis Nunes.
The Football Black List, founded in 2008 by sports journalists Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, highlights leaders working across all areas of the game from the Black community.
A panel of experts drawn from the football industry and the Black community independently vote on nominations made by the public to determine who makes the list.
The panel included representation from the Premier League, The Football Association, League Managers Association, English Football League, PGMOL, BCOMS and Kick It Out.
The Football Black List features LGBTQ+ Awards for the third time recognizing work by Black individuals and allies, in challenging homophobia in society through football. The winners this year are Lianne Sanderson and Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s Head of ED&I, Dr. Michael Seeraj
The Voice Newspaper is the exclusive home of the Football Black List which creates an opportunity to celebrate the Black communities contribution to the industry, while also encouraging debate and discussion on how best to address the ongoing under-representation of people from African-Caribbean backgrounds off the pitch.
The list also helps to shine a light on deserving people within the football community and at the grassroots level of the game who often go uncelebrated.
The list recognises people across eight categories:
Leon Mann MBE, co-founder of the Football Black List, said:
“We are delighted to be sharing another incredible and inspirational Football Black List. Black excellence shines so brightly in the game and this list underlines that.
“I am particularly proud to see the list now feature Board members, and managers at the top of the game but clearly we still have a long way to go to see better representation in football. However, we are highlighting those leading the way. We are proud of these individuals and the impact they are making.”
Fellow co-founder of the initiative, Rodney Hinds, added:
“ The mixture of elite and grassroots names on The List is exciting and further underpins the great work that many from our community do within the football industry.
“The Voice is delighted to be the exclusive home of the Football Black List and we look forward to showcasing many more inspiring individuals.”
