The Premier League has launched the South Asian Action Plan alongside Kick It Out, to help address the underrepresentation of British South Asian players, partciularly within the Academy system. The new initiative will support one of the key commitments of the League's ongoing No Room For Racism Action Plan. It will enhance player pathways and help diversify the workforce within the professional game.

The South Asian Action Plan (SAAP) will have an initial focus on players entering the Academy system in the Under-Nine to Under-11 age groups, when most boys join a club. This is set to widen as the plan develops. There will also be analysis and research to better understand what the current barriers to entry are for South Asian players.

"The South Asian Action Plan is a long-term project which will enable us to look at and improve the diversity of everyone within the Academy system, both on and off the pitch," said Neil Saunders, Director of Football at the Premier League. "The partnership with Kick It Out will provide us with independent diversity and inclusion expertise and enable us to further enhance connections between the Premier League and South Asian communities."

The plan was launched last week. See more on the Premier League website here.