FOI reference: FOI-2026-3469
You asked
Could you please provide the most recent facts and figures available on South Asian participation in football at all levels?
To be more specific:
How many players? What is the total number of football clubs registered with the FA across the various leagues? Any general information you can provide on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Unfortunately, we do not hold the information you have requested.
We estimate the number of people working in different occupations and from different countries of birth or nationalities from the Labour Force Survey, based on interviews with people resident in households in the UK.
Occupations are classified in line with the UK Standard Occupational Classification 2020 (SOC2020). Under this classification, Unit Group 3431 - Sports players covers professional sportsmen and women across all sports. Therefore, we would not be able to identify football players as a separate occupation. Additionally, due to small sample sizes, we would not be able to provide a meaningful estimate for the number of Sports players from South Asia.
Similarly, within the Standard Industrial Classification of economic activities 2007 (SIC 07), football clubs are included within the wider classification of 93.12 Activities of sport clubs. Therefore, we have no statistics specifically relating to football clubs.
You may want to try approaching the Football Association (FA), who have registration details for players and clubs and may be able to assist you in this query.