The Football Black Lists Opens 2020 Nominations
The Football Black List has opened its nomination process for 2020, and will feature new awards to enhance its focus on intersectionality in the Black community.
The Football Black List 2020 will see a new LGBT+ award added to the programme, and will also recognise how Black disabled people are playing a key role in the sport. According to organisers, the new additions will be ongoing and driven by experts, while all categories of the list will continue to be open to everyone for nomination.
The founders of the Football Black List, Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, say they are encouraging the public to put forward names of those they feel should be considered for celebration and recognition across all areas of the game.
“The Black Lives Matter protests have focused minds in the industry,” said Leon Mann. “We need to see much more diversity in so many areas of football. This initiative shines a light on Black people leading the way and helps to encourage and inspire.
“We have introduced a new award to highlight and celebrate the contributions to the game from Black LGBT+ people. The Football Black List will also recognise the incredible contribution Black disabled people are making in the sport. We would like to thank the experts who have guided us in these areas and look forward to enhancing our initiative.
“The impact of COVID-19 has meant it’s been an incredibly tough year for everyone in society, and also football. We considered postponing the Football Black List this year as a result, but decided it would be wrong not to highlight Black excellence at a time we have needed it more than ever.”
Rodney Hinds, added: “It has been a challenging year but the Football Black List can still provide some inspiration. The new award does just that as we refuse to stand still. We are indebted to those that have helped us introduce the new award as we are nothing without those in the community that have their fingers on the pulse. Sport in general and football in particular, remains a powerful influence.”
While more than a third of professional players in men’s football are black, there is a worrying lack of representation in all areas away from the pitch. The Football Black List helps to shine a light on Black leaders and pioneers in the sport and as a result makes role models more visible to the next generation.
