NewsLFC retains Premier League's highest award for equality, diversity and inclusion

Liverpool FC has been recognised by the Premier League for its continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) and awarded the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS) Advanced Level, the league’s highest honour in this category.

The award was presented to the club’s managing director, Andy Hughes, by the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s match against Fulham at Anfield.

Liverpool FC was the first Premier League club to receive the Advanced Standard back in 2017 and has continued to maintain this high level of achievement through the commitment of LFC’s leadership under the club’s sustainability programme, The Red Way, and the excellent work of its specific ED&I programme, Red Together, which launched in 2020.

Alongside parent company Fenway Sports Group, the club has also been an active member of the United Nation’s Eradicate Hate Global Sports Working Group, which seeks to use sport to combat hate speech and hate-fuelled violence, as part of the UN’s The Game Plan initiative.

Rishi Jain, director of impact at LFC, said: “As a global football club, we have a responsibility to lead the way in creating a better and more inclusive world for all.

“Through Red Together and our ongoing engagement with our local, national and international communities, we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into all we do so that we can champion positive change for our staff, players, fans and wider society.

“To be recognised once more at the highest level by the Premier League further demonstrates our unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and recognises the impact we are making in sport and beyond.”

Kuljit Randhawa, head of diversity and inclusion strategy at the Premier League, added: “Liverpool Football Club has been awarded the Advanced Level Health Check of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, having made significant progress in creating a more inclusive environment for both fans and staff.

“There has been an unwavering commitment from the club’s senior leaders to continue building on this since Liverpool were first awarded the Advanced Level of the Standard in 2017. This has been demonstrated in the development, review and implementation of Red Together – a club-wide EDI Strategy.

“We look forward to continuing to support Liverpool as they enhance their work in this area.”

The club was assessed by an independent panel, against the PLEDIS framework that focuses on incorporating ED&I across all areas of a club’s operations. The panel is made up of experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds with significant experience at a senior strategic level in progressing ED&I within organisations.

For more information on the club’s ED&I efforts, please visit www.liverpoolfc.com/redtogether.

For more information on the club’s approach to sustainability through The Red Way, please visit www.liverpoolfc.com/theredway.