The Premier League benefits greatly from diversity on and off the pitch. The League and clubs are committed to making the game more inclusive and fighting all forms of discrimination.
The Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS) supports clubs to embed and develop equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of their operations.
PLEDIS was announced in April 2021 and builds on the work carried out through the Premier League Equality Standard, which launched in 2015.
It mandates greater accountability for long term and measurable progress, including the publication of annual progress reports. Clubs are provided with a clear framework to achieve three levels of the Standard: Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced.
The aim is to create club-wide change and covers all areas of activity, including each club's role as an employer, matchday operations, Academy, first team, Club Community Organisation and fan engagement.
As clubs work through each level, they develop and implement actions, set and work towards aspirational targets, measure progress, demonstrate and assess impact and, ultimately, move towards being exemplars in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) delivery and impact.
The PLEDIS is closely aligned with The FA's Football Leadership Diversity Code, ensuring a collaborative approach to tackling underrepresentation. All areas of equality are incorporated, including mental health and wellbeing. Clubs use data and insight to identify key EDI priority groups where under-representation needs to be addressed, or where special emphasis needs to be placed.
Throughout Season 2021/22, clubs were supported through hybrid network gatherings, regular e-communications and a suite of unique, PLEDIS-specific training sessions.
These included content around EDI strategy and delivery planning, inclusive recruitment, use of data and insight, and learning through equality reviews.
In April 2022, a new Independent Assessment Panel was recruited to assess clubs against the PLEDIS framework.
The Panel's role is to verify that the requirements of the PLEDIS have been met and to provide advice and high-level recommendations to help clubs further develop their EDI work.
It is made up of independent experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, all of whom have significant experience at a senior, strategic level in progressing EDI within organisations.
Panel Chair Paul Cleal commented: "In the last year we have seen more clubs join the programme and advance through its levels. We have seen the provision of education materials, enforcement action to confront discrimination online and in stadiums, inclusive community programmes and commitment to opportunities for underrepresented groups in all aspects of the clubs' operations."
In August 2022, a total of 27 clubs, including all 20 Premier League clubs, were engaged with the PLEDIS. Clubs relegated to the English Football League (EFL) can remain on the PLEDIS pathway and work towards the next level.
They receive the same level of support and guidance as Premier League clubs.
