MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 17:30:52| >> :120:19795:19795:

Tyrone Mings: 'All clubs must sign up to FA's new diversity code'

The Aston Villa defender played a key role in the creation of the code.

Tyrone Mings has warned black players could refuse to join clubs that fail to sign up for the FA's new diversity code.

The Aston Villa defender played a key role in the creation of the code, which will ask clubs to hit specific targets in coaching positions as well as senior management roles.

Over 40 clubs have already signed up to the code but Southampton are the only Premier League club missing from the list, saying they need more time to consider its implications.

Mings told the Daily Mail: "Of course it will come into players' minds if they see that one has alienated itself from the code by choosing not to sign up or choosing to not be part of it. You would want to ask the question why.

"It may be an issue that those clubs have to deal with in the future, those difficult conversations around, 'why haven't you signed up?'"

Southampton say they are "wholly supportive" of the objectives of the code, but wish to examine how it will impact their own, established diversity measures before making a commitment.

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion – Premier League – St Mary's
Southampton are yet to commit to the FA's new diversity code (Mike Hewitt/PA)

Mings, who was part of the England team that twice stopped their Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria last year due to racial abuse, hailed the "huge progress" of the initiative.

He added: "I don't know the reasons why Southampton haven't signed up but I guess if there's one that hasn't it means 19 have.

"It's important to look at the positives. The fact that there are so many that have signed up represents huge progress and that is probably more important than the one that hasn't.

Chris Powell
Chris Powell has welcomed the FA's new diversity code (Nick Potts/PA)

"But of course if they do sign up and the whole Premier League signs up it represents a real collective sign of people wanting to make change.

"At the moment that's not something that we have but hopefully in future they will and they will see the benefits of being part of a collective."

Chris Powell, the former England defender and current head of coaching at Tottenham's academy, said he believed in time every club would sign up to the code.

He told the PA news agency: "I think it is a very, very powerful code and I expect that it will be implemented by everyone, and over time we will see a significant change."

ID:420065: cacheID:420065:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6834:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Donyell Malen celebrates scoring for the Netherlands on September 6, 2019
Read Next:
Wednesday's Transfer Talk Update: Malen, Depay, Upamecano
>
Read more about Tyrone Mings Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!