Job Description
The Football Association (“The FA”) is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.
The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth, and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, Barclays FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, and Vitality Women's FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation. A core part of The FA's activities includes the implementation of regulatory, disciplinary, and rule-making functions.
Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination. A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments – Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change – which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come.
THE JUDICIAL PANEL – ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PANEL
The Judicial Panel is established by The FA Council as the pool of individuals from which Regulatory Commissions and Appeal Boards are drawn by the Judicial Panel Chairman to hear cases or appeals in connection with disciplinary and other regulatory processes of The FA.
The FA is establishing a specific Anti-Discrimination Panel which will form part of the Judicial Panel and will hear cases concerning FA Rule E3.2 (“Aggravated Breaches”) and/or FA Rule E4 (Victimisation).
Anti-Discrimination Panel Members will have appropriate experience of discrimination, equality, inclusion and diversity matters.
The Anti-Discrimination Panel will deal with cases relating to the Premier League, English Football League, National League, the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Leagues and the FA Women's Super League & FA Women's Championship.
MEMBER TYPES
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS
BENEFICIAL ATTRIBUTES
TIME COMMITMENT
Regulatory Commissions and Appeal Boards are convened on a frequent basis during the regular footballing season and also throughout the remainder of the calendar year. Personal hearings more often than not take place over video conference but also occur in Wembley Stadium; Non-personal hearings take place over video conference. Anti-Discrimination Panel Members are expected to make themselves available to fulfil their fair share of the cases and/or appeals arising in any given year.
An attendance fee is payable to Anti-Discrimination Panel Members for their time spent preparing and attending Regulatory Commission and/or Appeal Board hearings, which includes the drafting or assisting with the drafting of written reasons. Reasonable expenses properly incurred may also be reclaimed when travelling to Wembley (or an alternative venue) for a hearing.
The appointment is for a fixed term of three years. Anti-Discrimination Panel Members are eligible to apply for further terms, subject to the business needs of The FA.
Anti-Discrimination Panel Members must uphold the highest standards when dealing with cases and treat individuals impacted by the cases with sensitivity and respect.
The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth, and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, Barclays FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, and Vitality Women's FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation. A core part of The FA's activities includes the implementation of regulatory, disciplinary, and rule-making functions.
Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination. A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments – Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change – which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come.
THE JUDICIAL PANEL – ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PANEL
The Judicial Panel is established by The FA Council as the pool of individuals from which Regulatory Commissions and Appeal Boards are drawn by the Judicial Panel Chairman to hear cases or appeals in connection with disciplinary and other regulatory processes of The FA.
The FA is establishing a specific Anti-Discrimination Panel which will form part of the Judicial Panel and will hear cases concerning FA Rule E3.2 (“Aggravated Breaches”) and/or FA Rule E4 (Victimisation).
Anti-Discrimination Panel Members will have appropriate experience of discrimination, equality, inclusion and diversity matters.
The Anti-Discrimination Panel will deal with cases relating to the Premier League, English Football League, National League, the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Leagues and the FA Women's Super League & FA Women's Championship.
MEMBER TYPES
- A qualified solicitor or barrister with a minimum of 7 years post-qualification experience [with specific demonstrable experience of dealing with matters involving the Equality Act 2010]; or
- An individual with leadership or management experience in a professional equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) role, or a role in which it they have demonstrable experience of handling matters relating to the Equality Act 2010; or
- An individual with significant experience of discrimination matters in a sports regulatory environment
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS
- Demonstrable experience relating to EDI matters and the Equality Act 2010 in a professional or sporting regulatory context.
- An ability to assess evidence and submissions in an open, knowledgeable, and fair-minded way
- Sound and objective judgment
- Cultural fluency and a modern mindset across a range of protected characteristics
- An aptitude to work to tight timescales, under pressure while dealing with high profile cases that must be treated in the strictest of confidence
- Strong interpersonal skills, excellent listening, and communication skills
- Integrity, impartiality, and high ethical standards
- Proficient with Microsoft Office/Products
- Be able to coherently formulate and/or contribute towards written reasons for decisions
BENEFICIAL ATTRIBUTES
- A detailed understanding of sporting regulations relating to discrimination cases
- Experience of the Code for Sports Governance concerning Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans
- An understanding of the EDI issues affecting football and the wider society
- A significant understanding of the regulatory framework for domestic footbalL
TIME COMMITMENT
Regulatory Commissions and Appeal Boards are convened on a frequent basis during the regular footballing season and also throughout the remainder of the calendar year. Personal hearings more often than not take place over video conference but also occur in Wembley Stadium; Non-personal hearings take place over video conference. Anti-Discrimination Panel Members are expected to make themselves available to fulfil their fair share of the cases and/or appeals arising in any given year.
An attendance fee is payable to Anti-Discrimination Panel Members for their time spent preparing and attending Regulatory Commission and/or Appeal Board hearings, which includes the drafting or assisting with the drafting of written reasons. Reasonable expenses properly incurred may also be reclaimed when travelling to Wembley (or an alternative venue) for a hearing.
The appointment is for a fixed term of three years. Anti-Discrimination Panel Members are eligible to apply for further terms, subject to the business needs of The FA.
Anti-Discrimination Panel Members must uphold the highest standards when dealing with cases and treat individuals impacted by the cases with sensitivity and respect.