Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling lead the Premier League names on the Football Black List – an initiative to highlight the most influential black figures in the game.
The Premier League trio were named alongside Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira – the only black manager currently in England’s top-flight, while Burnley’s Vincent Kompany also made the list from a coaching perspective.
The list also includes the black figures working behind the scenes in football. Brentford non-executive director Deji Davies – the Premier League’s only black board member – and QPR sporting director Les Ferdinand, the only black individual holding a position of his kind in the game, are also named.
Overall the Football Black List is divided into eight categories: Administration, coaching and management, commercial, community, players, LGBTQ+, media and practitioners.
There is also the Ugo Ehiogu’s Ones To Watch list, which recognises talented, young people in the industry under 30 years of age.
“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,” said Leon Mann MBE, co-founder of the Football Black List.
“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.”
