British Asians in association football

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The low level of British Asians in association football has received significant media attention,[1][2] and has seen some clubs announce plans to explicitly target young British Asian players.

In October 2017 the BBC reported that out of 3,000 professional footballers in England, only 10 were British Asian.[3][needs update] In 2019, academic Daniel Kilvington suggested a figure of 10 British Asians out of a total of 4,000 professional players in the English game.[4] By contrast, at the time of the 2011 census around 7.5% of the population of England was of Asian descent – a ratio of footballers mirroring this would be 300 out of the 4,000.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] Current professionals, such as Adnan Ahmed, have publicly spoken out about the lack of fellow Asians in the sport.[8]

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.[9][10]

Zesh Rehman, of Pakistani origin, was the first British Asian to play in the Premiership.[11] Rehman later launched his own Foundation in May 2010, with the intention of helping young British Asians in football.[12][13]

Anwar Uddin, of Bangladeshi origin, was the first British Asian to captain a side in the top four divisions of English League football.[14]

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.[15]

In October 2013 the Football Association announced plans to encourage an increase in British Asian players and coaches.[5][16]

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.[17]

On 28 November 2017, Hamza Choudhury made his Premier League debut for Leicester coming on as substitute in the 83rd minute of a home win against Tottenham Hotspur. He is the first player of Bangladeshi descent to have played in the Premier League, as well as the only Bangladeshi to currently play in the Premier League.[18]

In February 2019, Adil Nabi said that he wanted to be an inspiration to other British Asian footballers, in the same way that Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham had done for black players.[19]

In October 2019 there were "just 12 players of South Asian heritage across the Premier League and the English Football League".[20]

International football

Correct as of November 2015, Neil Taylor is the only British Asian to have won full international caps for one of the home nations, making over 40 appearances for Wales since his debut in 2010. He also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics.[21]

Frank Soo, of Chinese heritage, played for the England wartime team and remains the only player of East Asian heritage to do so.[22]

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.[23]

Clubs

There are a number of Asian-specific football teams such as London APSA, Sporting Khalsa and Sporting Bengal United, who became the first Asian clubs to play in the FA Cup in 2005.[6]

In October 2007, clubs in the Football League began out-reach programmes into Asian communities to attract new fans.[24]

In March 2009, Premier League club Chelsea announced plans to target young players from Asian communities.[25] 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.[26]

Fans

In December 1999, a Scottish Asian football fan publicly spoke out about the racism he had encountered at Rangers.[27]

Research compiled by the Premier League in March 2009 concluded that more British Asians were attending games than ever before.[28] 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.[29]

Officials

Jarnail Singh, who is of Indian descent, has been described as a "trailblazer" for Asian referees.[30]

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.[31]

Organisations

The Football Association has held meetings on the matter of British Asians in association football,[32] and they launched a campaign in 2013 to increase British Asians in football,[33] though in March 2014 it announced plans to increase the number of British Asians in football would be delayed.[34] FA chairman Greg Dyke admitted in December 2014 that attempts to increase Asian participation in the sport had failed.[35]

In January 2012 the inaugural Asian Football Awards were held.[36]

Racism

Main article: Racism in association football

In April 2019 British Asian footballers spoke out about the racist abuse they had encountered.[37] In August 2019 Yan Dhanda said that the racism he has encountered as a British Asian footballer inspires him to play his best.[38]

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 ethnic heritage.

Name Heritage Debut[39] International details Notes & references
Husin, Noor Afghanistan 2016
Kouhyar, Maziar Afghanistan 2016
Choudhury, Hamza Bangladesh 2015 Youth caps for England [40]
Ahmed, Shahed Bangladesh 2004 [41]
Uddin, Anwar Bangladesh 2002 [42]
Chung, Sammy Republic of China 1951
Soo, Frank Republic of China 1933 Full caps for the England wartime and Victory International sides during and shortly after World War Two. The first player of East Asian descent to play for any England side.
Bains, Rikki India 2006
Batth, Danny India 2009 [5][43][42]
Benning, Malvind India 2012 [5][42]
Carter, Jimmy India 1987 First Asian to play in the Premier League, but did not disclose his background at the time.[42]
Chopra, Michael India 2000 Youth caps for England In August 2014 Chopra stated that he wanted to play for India at international level.[44][42]
Dhanda, Yan India 2018 Youth caps for England [17]
Dosanj, Aman India 1999 Youth caps for England Women First British Asian to represent England in official matches at any level.[45][46]
Juttla, Jazz India 1997 [47][48]
Sansara, Netan India 2008 Youth caps for England
Sekhon, Aaron India 2011 [49][50]
Singh, Harpal India 2001
Taylor, Neil India 2007 Senior caps for Wales [5][51][42]
Verdi, Roger India 1972
Verma, Aman India 2009 [42]
Williams, Rhys India 2008 Full caps for Australia Born in Australia to a British father and an Indian mother
Williams, Ryan India 2011 Australia U-20 caps Born in Australia to a British father and an Indian Mother
Kasim, Yaser Iraq 2010 Full caps for Iraq
Jalal, Shwan Iraq 2000 Full caps for England C
Ahmed, Adnan Pakistan 2004 Full caps for Pakistan [42]
Asghar, Adam Pakistan 2013 [52]
Ashraf, Reis Pakistan 2009 Full caps for Pakistan
Bashir, Atif Pakistan 2004 Full caps for Pakistan Born in Germany to a British Asian father and a German Turkish mother.
Docker, Adam Pakistan 2007 Full caps for Pakistan
Gondal, Usman Pakistan 2006 Full caps for Pakistan
Iqbal, Amjad Pakistan 2007 Full caps for Pakistan
Khan, Otis Pakistan 2013
Khan, Sabhir Pakistan 2009 Full caps for Pakistan
Nabi, Adil Pakistan 2013 Youth caps for England [19][53][42]
Nabi, Samir Pakistan 2016 [19]
Rehman, Zesh Pakistan 2003 Full caps for Pakistan [42]
Sarwar, Rashid Pakistan 1985 [47][54]
Siddiqi, Kashif Pakistan 2005 Full caps for Pakistan [5]
Suliman, Easah Pakistan 2015 Youth caps for England First player of Pakistani heritage to captain an England side.[53]
Etheridge, Neil Philippines 2008 Full caps for Philippines
Hartmann, Mark Philippines 2011 Full caps for Philippines
Hartmann, Matthew Philippines 2006 Full caps for Philippines
Gier, Rob Philippines 2000 Full caps for Philippines
Gould, Chad Philippines 2004 Full caps for Philippines
Greatwich, Christopher Philippines 2004 Full caps for Philippines
Greatwich, Phil Philippines 2006 Full caps for Philippines
Greatwich, Simon Philippines 2008 Full caps for Philippines
Younghusband, James Philippines 2006 Full caps for Philippines
Younghusband, Phil Philippines 2006 Full caps for Philippines
Ali, Mukhtar Saudi Arabia 2017 Full caps for Saudi Arabia
Ng, Perry Singapore 2014 [55]
Chunonsee, Mika Thailand 2007 Youth caps for Wales; full caps for Thailand
Ramasut, Tom Thailand 1996 Youth caps for Wales
Waite, Jamie Thailand 2004 Full caps for Thailand
Mohamed, Kaid Yemen 2003

In popular culture

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

See also

References

  1. ^ Gordon Parks (7 September 2014). "Asian stars are football's missing men". Daily Record. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  2. ^ Olivia Blair (1 November 1997). "Football: They think they've no chance before even kicking a ball". The Independent. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Son challenges dad: Why couldn't I go to Man Utd trial?". BBC News. 2 October 2017.
  4. ^ Kilvington, Daniel (2019). "Two decades and little change: British Asians, football and calls for action". Soccer & Society. 20 (4): 584–601. doi:10.1080/14660970.2017.1366902.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Mandeep Sanghera (29 October 2013). "British Asians in football: FA steps up recruitment drive". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Asians in Football news". Let's Kick Racism Out of Football. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  7. ^ Northcroft, Jonathan (10 February 2008). "Why are there no Asian football stars?". The Times. London. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  8. ^ "Ahmed wants rise in Asian players". BBC Sport. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  9. ^ Harmit Singh Kamboe (June 2007). "Interview with Roger Verdi". IndianFootball.com. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  10. ^ Shamya Dasgupta. "He played against Pele, Best, Banks, now he wants to coach here". IndianExpress.com. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  11. ^ "The Premiership's first asian star: Zesh Rehman". The People. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  12. ^ Nikesh Rughani (7 April 2010). "Rehman targets helping British Asians into football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  13. ^ "Zesh Rehman leading push for change". Telegraph & Argus. 1 August 2013.
  14. ^ Patrick Nathanson (8 August 2007). "Anwar Uddin to lead Dagenham and Redbridge". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  15. ^ "Kash Siddiqi plans Foundation for Asian footballers in UK". Football Pakistan. 23 November 2011.
  16. ^ Mandeep Sanghera (29 October 2013). "Is English football set for an Asian breakthrough?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  17. ^ a b Mandeep Sanghera (18 December 2015). "Liverpool sign Yan Dhanda on professional deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Premier League: Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – 2:1". 28 November 2017.
  19. ^ a b c "Adil Nabi: Ex-West Brom midfielder on playing with Roberto Carlos, Greece & inspiring youngsters". 4 February 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  20. ^ "British Asians in football: What happened to Football Association strategy?". 31 October 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  21. ^ Din, Tusdiq (13 November 2015). "Why is Swansea's Neil Taylor the only British Asian in the Premier League?". mirror.
  22. ^ "FRANK SOO – DERBYSHIRE'S FAMOUS CHINAMAN". Bygone Derbyshire. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  23. ^ Pramod Morjaria (1 August 2007). "Bend it like Beckham in Rotherham". BBC News. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  24. ^ Niki Cardwell (28 October 2007). "Football clubs reaching out to Asians". BBC News. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  25. ^ "Chelsea plot Asian talent trawl". BBC Sport. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  26. ^ "Chelsea continue search for an Asian football star". BBC Sport. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  27. ^ "Fan's fear over 'racism at Rangers'". BBC News. 14 December 1999. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  28. ^ Sukhi Hayer (2 March 2009). "Have Asians embraced the beautiful game?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  29. ^ Rahila Bano (23 March 2013). "Why Asian fans shun clubs like Oldham and Burnley". BBC News.
  30. ^ "Refereeing". Asian Football Network. Archived from the original on 10 December 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  31. ^ "Asian Football Awards 2017". Asian Football Awards 2017.
  32. ^ "Increasing Asian participation in football". The Football Association. 11 July 2011.
  33. ^ "British Asians in football: FA steps up recruitment drive". 29 October 2013 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  34. ^ Mandeep Sanghera (4 March 2014). "British Asians plan delayed by FA as it seeks further talks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  35. ^ "FA chairman Greg Dyke: More Asians needed in football". BBC Sport. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  36. ^ Simon Parker (17 January 2012). "Former Bantam in running for top Asian award". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  37. ^ "Asian footballers call out 'systemic racism' in grassroots football". 24 April 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  38. ^ "British Asian footballer Yan Dhanda: Racist abuse drives me on even more". Sky News.
  39. ^ Club or international debut – whichever came first
  40. ^ Tanner, Rob (12 October 2017). "Why Leicester City's local lad Hamza Choudhury really stands out". leicestermercury.
  41. ^ Player profile – "The youngster has his roots in Bangladesh"
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Daniel Kilvington (2016). British Asians, Exclusion and the Football Industry. Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 9781317569039. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  43. ^ "Wolves skipper Danny Batth left frustrated by his quest to play for India". Sky Sports. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  44. ^ "Michael Chopra: 'I want to be Indian football's Tendulkar'". BBC Sport. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  45. ^ Urmee Khan (10 November 2006). "The unsporting life". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  46. ^ Daniel Burdsey (2007). British Asians and football: culture, identity, exclusion. Routledge. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  47. ^ a b Ben Carrington; Ian McDonald (2001). 'Race', Sport, and British Society. Psychology Press. p. 38. ISBN 9780415246293. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  48. ^ Scott McDermott (12 November 2011). "Rangers are right to tap into Indian market by looking at stars, says former player Jazz Juttla". Daily Record. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  49. ^ Chris Roberts (16 July 2011). "I want to be a role model to young Asians who love football, says Partick Thistle starlet Aaron Singh Sekhon". Daily Record.
  50. ^ Gordon Parks (25 January 2012). "Partick Thistle young star Aaron Sekhon shortlisted for top Asian award". The Glaswegian.
  51. ^ Ben Proctor (17 February 2012). "Football in India is growing – Swansea City's Neil Taylor". Goal.com.
  52. ^ "Interview: Tony Asghar denies 'untoward' dealings at Dundee United". The Scotsman. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  53. ^ a b Ed Aarons (18 November 2015). "Aston Villa's Easah Suliman hopes to set standard for England's Asian footballers". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  54. ^ "Kilmarnock FC: Legend Eddie Morrison dies". Daily Record. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  55. ^ House, Future Publishing Limited Quay; Ambury, The; Engl, Bath BA1 1UA All rights reserved; number 2008885, Wales company registration (24 May 2017). "Perry Ng signs new Crewe deal, keen to play for Singapore". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

External links

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