Football's disability blind spot

This project explores the lived experiences of disabled professionals working in managerial, senior leadership, and governance roles within English football. It highlights the structural, cultural, and intersectional barriers they face, including the emotional labour of self-advocacy, exclusionary recruitment practices, and ableist workplace norms. The report calls for meaningful inclusion strategies that go beyond tokenism and visibility.

The challenge

Despite increasing attention to race and gender diversity, disability remains overlooked in football’s leadership structures. Disabled professionals face entrenched barriers in accessing senior roles, and many are steered into para-football or inclusion work rather than mainstream leadership. With only 7.8% of the football workforce identifying as disabled - well below national averages - the research identifies a critical need for structural reform in how football organisations recruit, support, and retain disabled leaders.

The approach

Commissioned by The Disability Football Collective and led by Leeds Beckett University, the project used a qualitative methodology including 13 semi-structured interviews with disabled leaders across para and mainstream football, advocacy, consultancy, and governance. Thematic analysis of these interviews, supported by literature and policy review, allowed the team to document lived experiences, identify institutionalised ableism, and propose evidence-based strategies for workforce reform.

The impact

The report delivers a clear set of recommendations around HR reform, inclusive recruitment, cultural change, and policy advocacy. It is already being used by DFC and other stakeholders to campaign for change in English football governance. Key findings have been shared across advocacy networks and with national governing bodies, with the goal of influencing workforce policy, leadership training, and board-level diversity requirements.