Is there still a stigma around south Asians in football?

Arran Williams, Diversity and Inclusion manager discusses the stigma around South Asians in football and how organisations are trying to combat the problem by Vivek Julka

Asian people should stick to cricket. That is something Arran Williams has heard many times when refereeing a football match. South Asian professional referee, Arran says:

“Unfortunately, there is still a stigma around South Asian players, referees and managers who are trying to progress in football. We are often told, ‘you people should be playing cricket’. 

Referees make mistakes and they get abuse from fans, that is understandable but when it comes to a brown or black referee making the same mistakes, trust me the abuse is ten times worse. I have had many racial slurs directed at me, the usual ones are thrown around, being told I smell of curry. The ironic thing is that the people who are saying this are the ones who are eating it.  It’s ridiculous that these beliefs still exist.” But Arran encourages people in football who come from an ethnic minority background to be proud of their beliefs, to strengthen their mind-set of pursing a professional career in the game. “It is wrong that some people still think like this but we shouldn’t feel bad for being different, instead use it to our advantage. As there are a lack of South Asians in football, if one makes it big, you are leading everyone from that background. That should be treated as an honour instead of a hindrance.

My heritage is one that I am proud of and knowing I can be a role model to others from my background is amazing,” says Arran, 31.

Arran Williams in action as a ref (Lewis Mckenna)

Now a referee, currently working for the PGMOL, but as Arran is very passionate about helping others from ethnic minority background, he was previously the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion manager for the English Football Association (FA). On what his role was as the FA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion manager, Arran says: “I was tasked with supporting all 50 County FA’s in their EDI journey. I worked internally to address various EDI projects including the launch of an EDI data capture, faith and positive action schemes.”

And this season, Arran has done some work for the FA again. “This season I have teamed up with the FA’s reflective and representative referee recruitment campaign. We are working together to encourage more Asian and Black communities to pick up the whistle which has resulted in courses that are taught to young men and women all over the country who are pursuing a referee career and to be a part of that has been phenomenal. Also sharing the experiences of amazingly talented officials like Bhupinder and Sunny Giil. These two have been the trailblazers for our community in professional officiating. Sunny made history by becoming the first South Asian to referee a match in the Premier League when Crystal Palace played Luton Town. And last season Bhupinder was the first South Asian that was an assistant referee in a Premier League game. And from the Black community referees such as Sam Allison and Aki Howson have made an imprint in the refereeing game, which will help young people who want to go down this path too,” says Arran. Does Arran’s work with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion also entail with helping women in football?

Arran says: “Absolutely. My role with Diversity and Inclusion doesn’t just help people from ethnic minority backgrounds but we also help women who want to be involved with football, whether that’s playing, refereeing or even punditry. For a very short period of time I was also the manager of Huddersfield Ladies Team. This was back in 2012, so it wasn’t classed as an important role but I am glad over ten years on, this has changed dramatically as women’s football has grown immensely since then. Growing up, I didn’t have role models from my background who were in a position of importance in football. I think the FA has done a good job of changing this because there many women and diverse people across all areas of football now so young people from these backgrounds will be encouraged by this and will want to try and get to the same position.”

Also for two years, Arran worked for Kick It Out, an organisation that works within football that challenges discrimination and encourages inclusive practices. “Kick It Out is an organisation I hold very close to my personal beliefs. There are some amazing people trying to make the beautiful game a space for everyone and they are led by the great Tony Burnett. When I joined in 2018, Kick It Out were creating a grassroots team which was led by Tajean Hutton. Tajean is someone who understands the person, their experience and the importance of this first before anything else. Under his stewardship, we began the process of giving a voice to grassroots football, the voice was from people who represented underrepresented communities to those creating opportunities for everyone to be part of the game,” Arran says.  

Arran Williams (centre) ready to officiate Macclesfield vs FC United (Lewis Mckenna photogrpahy)

Arran’s work was rewarded by none other than Prince William at Buckingham Palace as he was given the award of ‘The FA Grassroots Hero.’“Of course, this is one of my proudest moments from a personal view but I am also proud because the work me and many others are doing are not going unnoticed and we are making a real difference which is the most important thing,” says Arran.

What is the future of diversity and inclusion in football? “As long as good work is still being done by organisations like the FA and Kick It Out, we will see more people from diverse backgrounds at a professional level in football,” says Arran.