Arsenal's Leah Williamson questions lack of diversity in women's football | OneFootball

Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has spoken out on the lack of diversity in women’s football at present.

Williamson inspired England to victory at Euro 2022 earlier this summer, but there were just three mixed-heritage players in the entire squad –– none of which started a game at the tournament.

Even more concerning is that this number has decreased from the six minority ethnic players in England’s 2007 European Championship squad.

While Euro 2022 was groundbreaking for women’s football in many ways, it did raise the question of why there is not more diversity in the England squad at present?

What has Williamson said?

Speaking to BBC Sport, Williamson said: "Within the squad, this is an important issue and we're all aware of it. There's nothing that we can do right now to change it.

The England captain stressed that players must challenge “higher powers” to address the current situation and help change the landscape for the future.

"The visibility, the accessibility, all of those things from the bottom need to be better so that we don't lose the diversity of the game."

Similarly, Williamson’s Arsenal and England teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy has previously spoken out about the lack of diversity.

"I'm from London, I see a lot of deprivation," the defender told BBC Sport. "I see a lot of young children who don't have opportunities. And while I feel like I have responsibility to talk about it, I think everyone does.”

Why is there a lack of diversity in women’s football?

Currently, between 10 and 15 per cent of players in the Women’s Super League are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds –– compared to around 33 per cent in the Premier League.

FA director of women’s football Sue Campbell said this is because young girls from such backgrounds are not being given the chance to play.

"It's not inclusive enough. And it's not diverse enough, and we know it," she told BBC back in 2021.

What can be done?

Change starts at the bottom and Campbell has emphasised the need to get more young girls playing.

“The FA has 'emerging talent centres', which means we've now got nearly three times the reach we used to have with regional talent centres,” she said.

"You can't look at the top and say, 'ok, these are the issues'. It's too late, you need to start at the bottom."

Campbell also revealed the FA is making progress with its Discover My Talent programme ––  a scheme where players with potential can be referred for the Women’s England Talent Pathway.

"That's people going into those inner-city areas that perhaps traditional football clubs have not reached.”