The Premier League is under fire after job listings at top clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool stated that only ethnic minority candidates and women could apply - a move that some believe breaches equality laws.
The controversy centres on a league-funded scheme designed to boost representation in full-time coaching positions. Known as the Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme (CIDS), the initiative was launched four seasons ago and is intended to address the underrepresentation of certain groups in professional football.
According to the Premier League, the scheme is aimed at 'increasing the number of female coaches and male Black, Asian and mixed heritage coaches from a variety of backgrounds in full-time coaching positions in English professional football'.