Former Super Eagles forward Victor Anichebe hopes to become a football owner in future in order to improve Black, Asian and minority (BAME) representation at boardroom level within the sport.
The lack of ethnic minority representation in positions of power across sports has come to light through the Black Lives Matter movement in recent months.
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling called on English football to address the problem in June.
“We have to have a seat at the table to really effect change,” Anichebe said.
“We can’t try and affect change from the outside and looking in. I have seen a couple of players say they want to become CEOs or sporting directors and I think that is what we need to do.
“We need to aspire to these positions. But also, when we aspire to these positions [we then need] to get an opportunity to be in these positions. All of us together have a big role to play.”
The 32-year-old’s former team-mate Tim Howard became a part-owner of English fifth-tier club Dagenham & Redbridge and United Soccer League side Memphis 901.
Speaking of his hopes for such an opportunity to present itself, Anichebe said: “I would like to go down that route of owning a team.
“I do have a group of people that are quite wealthy guys and together we could come together and go down that route.”
He added: “I don’t see why we can’t all come together [as players] and buy clubs. I do think that is another way to really affect change. Instead of wanting change, we can be the change ourselves.”
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COMMENTS
Nice idea
Anichebe ur ideas and aspirations are excellent, instead of wanting or crying for change lets be the change.
I have always admired Anichebe’s doggedness. Remain rugged and dogged whilst that fire to effect positive burns Forever. God bless you Anichebe.