Football's Black Coalition seeks to tackle racism issues
- Published
Toronto's Justin Morrow is spokesperson for the MLS Black Players For Change group
A new body has been launched by black coaches, along with former and current players, to tackle racism in football.
Football's Black Coalition (FBC) aims to get governing bodies to do more to challenge racism while tackling issues of under representation in the game.
BBC Sport understands that the group was partly inspired by the MLS Black Players For Change group (BPCMLS).
BPCMLS was founded in June, in the wake of George Floyd's death in the USA on 25 May.
African-American Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in Minneapolis after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.
USA international Justin Morrow, spokesperson for BPCMLS, said in June he hoped black players in England would create their own group.
"I think it's something, as they know themselves, that's very needed," he said.
It is understood that FBC and BPCMLS have been in contact via conference calls.
The group's formation comes just over two weeks after Queens Park Rangers director of football Les Ferdinand said the impact of taking a knee "has been diluted".
Players and staff have been taking a knee before games in the Premier League and English Football League since the 2019-20 season restarted in June, in order to show support for racial equality.
QPR did not carry out the gesture in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before their Championship match against Coventry City on 18 September.
"Taking the knee will not bring about change in the game - actions will," Ferdinand said.