The FA appoint Financial Times guru Yasir Mirza as their new director of equality, diversity and inclusion… replacing Edleen John, who quit last year amid claims over her conduct toward colleagues
The Football Association have appointed Financial Times anti-discrimination specialist Yasir Mirza as their new director of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed the FA’s move to hand Mirza the position on May 4, with the organisation now confirming his arrival.
Mirza will work closely with both the mens and womens England senior teams, as well as junior age sides, as their lead diversity and equality advisor.
The executive position has taken on major significance at the governing body in recent years given English football’s ongoing commitment to improving diversity.
Mirza emerged as the successful candidate of the FA’s eight month search, aided by recruitment specialists Perrett Laver, for their next director of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
The Football Association has appointed Yasir Mirza as its new anti-discrimination specialist
Mizra, who is considered an expert in his field, has left his role was global head of diversity and inclusion at national newspaper the Financial Times and has held similar roles at BBC Studios, Channel 4 and The Guardian.
He replaces Edleen John, who left the FA last summer following an internal investigation into allegations regarding her conduct towards colleagues.
John held the role as director of international relations, corporate affairs and co-partner for EDI.
But the position Mirza steps into is one with a pure focus on EDI, without responsibility for international relations and corporate affairs.
Mirza is set to work with England’s men’s and women’s teams to tackle any discrimination
English football has seen a worrying rise in cases of racial abuse towards players in recent years.
England players Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were all targeted with social media abuse after missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final.
One of Mirza’s immediate focuses will be to liaise with English football’s key stakeholders to accelerate the long-awaited Online Harms Bill, which will include stringent laws to prevent social media abuse, through Parliament.
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