ROME: European federation UEFA has used the Respect Diversity platform in Rome to launch a Captains of Change programme to bring more minority groups into football management.

The initiative aims to promote diversity management in the context of football with support from UEFA member associations and other partner organisations. Programme ambassasor is the French former World Cup winner Christian Karembeu.

UEFA president Michel Platini said: “The Captains of Change programme was created to establish real equality of opportunity for all minority groups in football. I believe that sport is varied on the field, but there is still much to be done to ensure that the diversity extends even to our administrative structures and management.”

Karembeu urged UEFA federations to “present ideas to create equal opportunities for all minority groups.”

UEFA wants FA staff members to come with ideas by the end of September with the winning pilot project being announced in October.

A Steering Committee will validate each project and guide the respective definition, implementation and follow-up during the trial period of one year. UEFA will establish a funding mechanism to contribute to the support of some projects.

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