British Asians in association football

The term "British Asian" generally refers to British citizens who can trace their origin to South Asia; however, it also refer to those of East Asian origin. The lack of British Asians in association football has received significant media attention, and has seen some clubs announce plans to explicitly target young British Asian players.

Background

In April 2001, Britons of South or East Asian heritage constituted over 55% of the non-white population, or at least 4.4% of the total population.^[1] 2007 estimates for England only suggest at least 7.0% of the English population as being of Asian origin, or 59% of non-whites.^[2]

History

Players

Club football

A Commission for Racial Equality survey in 2004 found only seven professional British Asian footballers playing in the UK; the same survey also found only ten British Asian players at Premier League academies.^[3] By February 2008 the number of professionals had dropped to just five, and less than 1 in 100 of young players in Academies throughout the entire English football league system were Asian.^[4] Current professionals, such as Adnan Ahmed, have publicly spoken out about the lack of fellow Asians in the sport.^[5]

Roger Verdi, of Indian origin, was forced to change his name because of racism, and had to move to the United States to start a professional career.^[6][7]

Zesh Rehman, of Pakistani origin, was the first British Asian to play in the Premiership.^[8] Rehman later launched his own Foundation in May 2010, with the intention of helping young British Asians in football.^[9][10]

Anwar Uddin, of Bangladeshi origin, was the first British Asian to captain a side in the top four divisions of English League football.^[11] Uddin remains the only player of Bangladeshi origin to turn professional.^[12]

In 2011, British-Pakistani footballer Kashif Siddiqi founded the Kashif Siddiqi Foundation, with the aim to encourage increase the participation of British Asians in association football.^[13]

In October 2013 the Football Association announced plans to encourage an increase in British Asian players and coaches.^[14][15]

In December 2015, Yan Dhanda became the second professional Asian player in the Premier League, after Neil Taylor. Dhanda signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Liverpool.^[16]

International football

Frank Soo, of Chinese heritage, played for the England wartime team and remains the only player of East Asian heritage to do so.^[17]

In August 2007, trials were organised by the Pakistan Football Federation in Rotherham, South Yorkshire for British Pakistanis players to attend a training camp with the Pakistan national team.^[18]

A number of British Asians have represented their secondary nations at international level; a full list can be found below.

Clubs

There are a number of Asian-specific football teams. Teams such as London APSA and Sporting Bengal United became the first Asian clubs to play in the FA Cup in 2005.^[3]

In October 2007, clubs in the Football League began out-reach programmes into Asian communities to attract new fans.^[19]

In March 2009, Premier League club Chelsea announced plans to target young players from Asian communities.^[20] Two players found on the trial later signed with Southend United and Leyton Orient, and in May 2010 Chelsea launched a second initiative, with the aim to find six young British Asian players.^[21]

Fans

In December 1999, a Scottish Asian football fan publicly spoke out about the racism he had encountered at Rangers.^[22]

Research compiled by the Premier League in March 2009 concluded that more British Asians were attending games than ever before.^[23] However, research in 2013 by the BBC found that only 1% of fans of teams in the North West of England are Asian, despite making up 20% of the population of some areas.^[24]

Officials

Jarnail Singh, who is of Indian descent, has been described as a "trailblazer" for Asian referees.^[25]

The Asian Football Awards

Launched to recognise the outstanding contribution to both the professional game and grass roots initiatives by individuals and groups across the UK with South Asian heritage, the awards focus on the positive efforts made in the football industry. ^[26]

Organisations

The Football Association has held meetings on the matter of British Asians in association football,^[27] though in March 2014 it announced plans to increase the number of British Asians in football would be delayed.^[28] FA chairman Greg Dyke admitted in December 2014 that attempts to increase Asian participation in the sport had failed.^[29]

In January 2012 the inaugural Asian Football Awards were held.^[30]

List of British Asian footballers

The following is a list of notable British Asian footballers – those who have participated at professional or international level – organised by nation of origin.

In popular culture

The 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham deals with issues relating to British Asians in football.

See also

• Islam in association football

References

External links

• Asian Football Awards
• Asian Football Network