South Asians in Football Working Group

We have appointed a new working group with deep knowledge of the football landscape and wider context of South Asian communities in order to inform our new ‘BUILD, CONNECT, SUPPORT - South Asians in Football Plan 2025-28’ which was launched in January 2025 to coincide with the release of our new four-year equality, diversity and inclusion strategy known as ‘A Game Free From Discrimination 2024-28’.

The new South Asians in Football Working Group will work with The FA executive responsible for delivering the South Asians in Football Plan on the ground. 14 individuals with specialist skillsets that align with intersectional knowledge of South Asian communities across various characteristics and industries including grassroots, professional and elite sport, media, entertainment and the arts, government and public sector, academia and research as well as faith, religion and belief make up the working group.

To see all members of the Working Group, view the profiles below.

To get in touch with The FA, please visit our South Asians in Football page or email asianinclusion@TheFA.com

meet the group members

Umara Ali

Priority Projects Consultant - UK Government

Chartered project manager and Football Industries MBA graduate with extensive experience delivering some of the UK Government’s most complex infrastructure programmes. Currently a civil servant, I specialise in strategy, governance, and programme leadership. I’m keen to apply this expertise within football - particularly in infrastructure projects that drive community impact, support social enterprise, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the beautiful game.

Shin Aujla

CEO/Director Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation

Multi-sector, senior leader with experience of delivering strategic and operational programmes in finance and governance, project management, impact and performance, inclusion, workforce and player development, people, culture, communications and safeguarding. Within football, experience of working with The FA, UEFA, The Premier League, EFL and Football Supporters Association at various levels of the professional game and grassroots.

Aaryaman Banerji

Head of Football Governance, Lane Clark & Peacock

Aaryaman Banerji is Head of Football Governance at consultancy firm Lane Clark & Peacock, where he works to support a range of stakeholders in navigating regulation of the football industry. He previously worked as Football Policy lead at think-tank Civitas, where he was extensively involved in leading the response to the Independent Football Regulator. He specialises in the regulatory and governance aspects of football, and brings several years of industry experience to the Working Group.

Specialist Tags: Regulation | Governance | Public Policy | Law

Zarah Earnshaw

Partnerships & Engagement Manager, Manchester City FC

An energetic, versatile and experienced senior business professional with a huge passion to drive change in the football industry, aiming to make it more equitable both on and off the pitch. Multi-skilled in business development, revenue generation, operations, finance, diversity & inclusion, change management and all aspects of people engagement. Strong believer in the power of sport to enable positive societal change and see this as a personal purpose to be fulfilled. Former football player and coach.

Sofia Ilyas

Chief Community Officer

A senior music and community executive with a proven track record in diversity, equity, and inclusion, brand building, and cultural strategy. With over 15 years of experience spanning the music, tech, and arts sectors, specialising in creating platforms that amplify underrepresented voices, drive community engagement, and deliver meaningful social impact. Currently serving as Chief Community Officer at Beatport, leading initiatives that support global grassroots organisations and champion inclusive change within the electronic music industry.

Specialist Tags: DEI | Music | Community

Archie Kalyana

Diversity Producer/Director BBC Sport, Cricket

Archie is an accomplished Series Producer/Director with nearly three decades of global production experience. She excels in developing impactful film content, blending creativity with journalistic integrity to craft compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Known for her high emotional intelligence, Archie inspires and leads teams with clarity and purpose. Her expertise in managing high-profile talent and stakeholders, combined with strategic vision and dynamic approach, makes her a standout and trusted leader in the industry.

Specialist Tags: EDI | Documentary | Sport Leadership | Women in Sport

Abiha Khan

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy Manager - DCMS (Football Governance)

Strategic leader in football governance with a background in education policy and in delivering community, youth, and equality, diversity & inclusion programmes. Experienced in programme and people management, and creating pathways for South Asian communities to thrive. Currently leading the engagement on football policy issues at DCMS, working closely with stakeholders across leagues, clubs, and fan groups.

Specialist Tags: Football Governance | Youth Development | Community Engagement | Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Dr Daniel Kilvington

Reader in Media and Cultural Studies at Leeds Beckett University

Dan is widely published in the field of race/ethnicity, racism and anti-racism in sport and new media. He is the author of five books including British Asians, Exclusion and the Football Industry (2016). He has undertaken research collaborations on EDI-related projects with stakeholders including the English Premier League (EPL), Kick It Out, and The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Dr Stefan Lawrence

Senior Lecturer in Digital Business and Marketing, Leeds Beckett University

An academic and researcher specialising in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), digital culture, and governance in sport. Stefan has led high-impact research projects with The FA, Premier League, and Sporting Equals, with particular focus on British South Asian experiences in football leadership. His work bridges academic insight and real-world change, supporting inclusive policy, digital strategy, and leadership development across the sport sector.

Specialist Tags: EDI | Football governance

Dr Seema Patel

Associate Professor Sports Law, Nottingham Law School

As an international expert on discrimination in sport, Seema publishes extensively on inclusion and exclusion matters from a law and regulatory perspective; advises globally on gender eligibility policies; sits on a sport disciplinary panel; consults on equality, diversity and inclusion in sport and advocates for collaborative and open conversations to progress inclusion across sport.

Specialist Tags: Inclusion and Exclusion in Sport | Discrimination | Sports Law and Regulation | Gender Identity and Diversity

Mohammed Seedat

Course Leader, Football Business & Marketing, UCFB

An experienced academic and strategist with a passion for equality and representation in football and sport. Currently leading UCFB’s Football Business & Marketing course, Mohammed brings insight across grassroots and professional sport, digital marketing and AI, and community engagement. With a background in academic leadership and an active role in community-based initiatives, he aims to champion inclusive pathways and elevate South Asian representation across the football and sports industry.

Specialist Tags: Football Education | Digital Marketing and AI Strategy | Community fundraising

Surinder Sharma

Chair, Leicestershire & Rutland County FA

Surinder joined the LRCFA Board in July 2020 as Chair of the Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) and was appointed as the Chair of the Board of the Association in June 2021. He was appointed as the first-ever National Director, Equality & Human Rights for the Department of Health and the NHS and has over 40 years of experience within leadership roles and achieving organisational cultural change and championing equity, fairness, diversity and inclusion. Surinder is also the Co-Director for the Unit for Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement, University of Leicester.

Monica Shafaq

CEO - Gordon Moody

Monica Shafaq is a passionate leader and changemaker, serving as CEO of Gordon Moody, the UK’s leading charity for gambling addiction support. With a background in mental health and inclusion, she also holds multiple board roles across sport, housing, and health. Monica champions equity, voices unheard stories, and inspires with her advocacy for social justice. Her work bridges sectors to create lasting impact, all while balancing life as a devoted mum and community role model.

Samir Singh

Inclusion Manager, Arsenal in the Community

Samir Singh grew up in Hackney. He joined Arsenal FC in 2005 to work on setting up the new club museum before joining Arsenal in the Community in 2007. Since then he has developed and delivered on a wide range of community development, equalities, education, health and social inclusion initiatives across north London for the club. Samir has been an Arsenal season ticket holder for 30 seasons and travels away.

Specialist Tags: EDI | Community Development