{"id":298097,"date":"2023-11-03T16:24:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T16:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=298097"},"modified":"2023-11-03T16:24:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T16:24:06","slug":"arsenal-coach-jonas-eidevall-team-has-a-diversity-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/arsenal-coach-jonas-eidevall-team-has-a-diversity-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall team has a diversity 'problem'"},"content":{"rendered":"
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has admitted that his team\u2019s lack of diversity is a \u2018problem\u2019 but insisted women\u2019s football has a wider issue when it comes to inclusion.<\/p>\n
The club received criticism online after their 27-player team photo failed to feature a single player of colour.<\/p>\n
Eidevall acknowledged the issue and said Arsenal and other clubs must work with the Football Association to increase diversity levels throughout the game.<\/p>\n
\u2018I haven\u2019t seen much reaction online but I think where we come from, north London, we\u2019re very proud of our community and it is a diverse community,\u2019 Eidevall said.<\/p>\n
\u2018The history of the club, both the men\u2019s first team and the women\u2019s first team, has a very proud history of players coming from diverse backgrounds as well and made the club very proud of that.<\/p>\n
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Jonas Eidevall has admitted his Arsenal team has a diversity ‘problem’ – but pointed to wider issues within the game<\/p>\n
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The squad came under fire for a 27-player team photograph that did not feature a single player of colour<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
\u2018So, us not having that diversity in the first team women\u2019s today, of course that is a problem.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think women\u2019s football has a diversity problem in getting especially people of colour involved more in football, not only at the top level, but also at grassroots level. I think that we have to work with that but also the FA and other clubs.\u2019<\/p>\n
Arsenal said last month that driving greater diversity and inclusion in the women\u2019s team was a priority.<\/p>\n
‘We acknowledge our current women’s first-team squad does not reflect the diversity that exists across the club and the communities we represent,’ Arsenal said in a statement to The Athletic.<\/p>\n
‘Increasing participation among young women and girls from diverse backgrounds is a key priority for us at academy level, with specific measures in place to improve pathways and accessibility.’<\/p>\n
The statement added: ‘Across all our teams, including our men’s and women’s academies, we’re proud of our players from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to our history, success and culture.<\/p>\n
‘It’s a priority for the club to continue to drive greater diversity and inclusion and create a sense of belonging for everyone connected to the club.’<\/p>\n
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Arsenal have said that they are making increased diversity at all levels a renewed club priority<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off\u00a0is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.<\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify<\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n