Manchester United women’s team manager Casey Stoney said the Women’s Super League (WSL) is “very white” and needs more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) role models for young players.
“Our game is very white, and that has to change. We have to look at what the barriers and challenges are,” former England defender Stoney told Sky Sports. “We have to make sure everybody feels this is a game for them.
“We need visibility, so people can see role models within the game. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. Equality and diversity is something we have to improve drastically.
“You look across the top WSL clubs, you can count on one hand the amount of Black and minority ethnic players there are in the game. That’s got to change.”
The 38-year-old former Arsenal and Liverpool player was hailed as a “game-changer” on International Women’s Day earlier this week.
“Equality and diversity is something we have to improve drastically. That’s not just football, that’s society. I would say diversity is far worse in the women’s game than the men’s game.
“You look across the top WSL clubs, you can count on one hand the amount of black and minority ethnic players there are in the game. That’s got to change.
“I don’t want players to feel they can’t come to my football club [because of the colour of their skin]. We need to encourage all players into the game. If I don’t see people like me, there is probably a fear to come into that environment.
Stoney insisted that football has come “an [awfully] long way,” but she added that the WSL is “getting more coverage” and is “still growing.”
