The head of Fifa's anti-racism task force says he was left "disheartened" after meeting black and ethnic minority players in England. Jeffrey Webb said many professionals believed they did not get opportunities to develop longer careers in the game.
Webb, said: "The [English] game must reflect society and the community. It doesn't do so."
Webb feels the fact that Rio Ferdinand is the only non-white FA panel member is a sign that diversity on the pitch is not being reflected off it.
He told BBC Sport: "There's a lot of young players coming through, I understand that more than 30% of the league is made up of people of African descent and over 71 different nationalities playing in the Premier League. But it's not reflected, they're not getting an opportunity.
"And many of them are becoming very demoralised and these are issues of course that we hope the FA will take on and that of the Premier League."
The lack of black and ethnic minority coaches in the game has prompted the PFA to issue a "ready-list" of qualified former players who they believe can step into vacant coaching positions.
But after what was described as a "breakthrough" meeting between the PFA and Football League chairman Greg Clarke last season, the players' union has been left disappointed by the failure of the league to discuss its "Coaching Fair Play" initiative with clubs.
