Consultant • Founder @wearebcoms @footieblacklist @refreshsport • Former @bbcsport @itvsport • @sportsja vice chair • @blackequityorg trustee
London, England
Joined October 2010
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The @FootieBlackList is OUT NOW!
And we are starting the day by bigging up the Players who have made the list. Special people doing great things 🖤
FOOTBALL BLACK LIST 2025 ✨
PLAYERS – OFF THE PITCH
@NaomiBedeau | @OfficialOUWFC & @GrenadaFootball international | Founder, Beat the Block CIC
Jess Carter | @GothamFC & @Lionesses international
@alexiwobi | @FulhamFC and @NGSuperEagles international | Founder, Project 17
Shakira Waithe | Barbados footballer & football coach
@EbereEze10 | @Arsenal & @England international | Founder, The Eze Foundation
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Proud to have produced the latest @premierleague No Room For Racism campaign film. 🎬
Read more: timetorefresh.co.uk/news/ref…
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Different experiences. Different perspectives. New ideas. 🖤
@Leon_Mann believes that the experiences which shape us are also what make our contributions unique.
As co-founder of the Football Black List and founder of @wearebcoms, Leon has put that belief into practice, creating platforms for underrepresented voices and helping others realise their potential.
In the latest episode of our interview series, Leon reflects on leadership, the power of bringing people together and why different perspectives are essential to driving meaningful change.
Watch the full interview with Leon, as part of our content series supported by The FA: youtu.be/qgdSRgdv4yE?si=1Ple…
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
There have to be some advantages in being the mentor to a rugby superstar …. Here is @matoitoje asking if they can change their Power and Purpose podcast to add Persevilience! Great to chat to him and @Leon_Mann …. Out in a couple of weeks !!
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Opening doors. Creating opportunities. Making his mark. 🖤
As co-founder of the Football Black List and founder of @wearebcoms, @Leon_Mann has dedicated much of his career to increasing Black representation across football, the wider sporting world and the media.
By helping others find their voice, place and power, he has helped raise standards across the industry.
Now, he shares the journey behind that work.
Leon Mann MBE. Coming soon. 🎬
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
The final episode of our 3 part series looking at the life and legacy of Keith Alexander is now live.
In it, hear from the likes of @Leon_Mann on the impact Keith still has today on football managers and coaches after he became one of the first black managers in England in 1993.
Listen here: bbc.in/RedImpsClub
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
A new chapter for Lola Ogunbote 🔵
Lola joins Chelsea FC Women as Head of Football Operations & Player Services, having made history as Burnley’s first Head of Women’s Football.
A champion for women in the game and a 2024 Football Black List award winner. We’re proud to see her take this next step.
Congratulations, Lola! 🖤
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
🚨𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖!🚨
🌟𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 - 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝!
🤍Representing Spurs
🏆Winning Trophies
🎩Hall Of Fame Entry
🎙️Podcast: pod.fo/e/67b841
📺YouTube: youtu.be/Qd33cyynrno?is=fFuu…
#THFC| #COYS| #TOTTENHAM
These are fake quotes.
Yaya has not spoken to any “reporter” about any of this.
This post will be reported to the platform.
🚨YAYA TOURÉ ON MANCHESTER CITY’S 114 CHARGES:
🎙️Reporter: Yaya, when you saw the news that Manchester City had been found guilty of 114 charges, what was your first reaction?
🗣️Yaya Touré: Honestly? I was not surprised.
I have been saying for years that there were things inside that club that people outside could never see.
When I saw the news, I just smiled and thought, “Now maybe people will understand why I spoke the way I did.”
🎙️Reporter: You have previously spoken very critically about Pep Guardiola. Do you still blame him for what happened between you and Manchester City?
🗣️Yaya Touré: Absolutely.
Pep changed everything.
When I arrived at Manchester City, I believed in the club. I believed in the people there. But after Pep came, the relationship changed completely.
He turned the situation against me and made it look like I was the problem.
People thought I was angry because I left Manchester City. No. I was angry because of how I was treated.
And I told people before: there are things happening at Manchester City that the public doesn’t know about.
🎙️Reporter: So when you saw the 114 charges, did you feel vindicated?
🗣️Yaya Touré: I don’t want to say “I told you so.”
But… I told you so.
For years, people laughed at me. They said Yaya was bitter. They said I was trying to damage Guardiola and Manchester City.
Now everyone is asking questions.
I am not celebrating what is happening to Manchester City. But I am saying this: sometimes the truth takes years to come out.
And Pep knows there are conversations between us that I have never made public.
Reporter: What do you mean by that?
Yaya Touré: I mean exactly what I said.
Something is somewhere.
And one day, people will understand why I was so angry.
🎙️Reporter: Do you think Manchester City should lose their titles?
🗣️Yaya Touré: If the charges are confirmed through the proper process, then football must accept the consequences.
Nobody should be bigger than the rules.
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Super to be at Wembley to see two top international teams go head-to-head! ⚽️
Always watching. Always learning.
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
🚨 FOOTBALL BLACK LIST NOMINATIONS OPEN 🚨
The Football Black List is built on celebrating the people moving the game forward.
Nominations for the 2026 Football Black List are now open. 🖤
Across the pitch, the industry and our communities, Black talent is changing the game and deserves to be recognised.
Nominate now: footballblacklist.com/nomina…
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
For decades, Rodney Hinds has used journalism to champion Black voices, challenge the game and help create lasting change.
As co-founder of the Football Black List, his work has helped ensure that the achievements of Black people across football are recognised and celebrated.
Now, Rodney shares his own story.
From his experiences as a young Black journalist entering the press box to the creation and continued impact of the Football Black List, this is a conversation about tenacity, representation, progress and the work still to be done.
The interview is part of our new content series, supported by The FA, sharing the stories of influential Black figures across the game.
Watch the full conversation ➡️ youtu.be/fQcP9KF9XCs?si=Dqq0…
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
On this day in 1982, Kerry Davis MBE became the first Black woman to play for England. 🖤
She didn’t just make history on her debut. She spent the next 16 years adding to it, scoring 44 goals in 82 appearances for the @Lionesses.
An exceptional footballer who helped open doors for generations of Black women in the game. Kerry helped change who could see themselves in an England shirt. Her place in the game’s history is permanent.
A Football Black List legend whose contribution to English football deserves its flowers. 💐
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
A lifetime spent telling the stories that matter. 🖤
As Sports Editor of @TheVoiceNews and co-founder of the Football Black List, Rodney Hinds has dedicated his career to championing Black voices and creating space for greater representation across football and the media.
Now, he shares his own story. Rodney Hinds. Coming soon. 🎬
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
A special moment at The Hawthorns as @Leon_Mann and Julia Regis presented Deborah Rogers with her Football Black List award. 👏🏾
Deborah was recognised as a Black woman making a significant impact behind the scenes, including the important role she has played in supporting her son Morgan Rogers throughout his football journey.
Julia was part of the West Midlands community panel that helped identify awardees for the Football Black List Birmingham celebration, making it especially fitting for her to help recognise Deborah’s contribution. 🖤
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Premier League history for Alex Iwobi. 👏
The Fulham and Nigeria midfielder made his 100th Premier League appearance for Fulham this weekend, becoming the first Black player and only the fifth player in the competition’s history to make 100 or more appearances for three different clubs.
Congratulations, Alex. 🖤
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
The Football Black List is more than a celebration.
It’s about community. Recognition. Progress. And the people who continue to shape football on and off the pitch.
For more than 15 years, the Football Black List has celebrated Black excellence and helped shine a light on those making an impact across the game.
Backed by The FA, we’re taking the next step. Now, it’s time to tell the stories.
The journeys. The experiences. The moments that shaped them. And the people behind the names.
Co-founders Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds start the conversation.
Coming soon. 🖤
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Birmingham showed up. 🖤
A special night celebrating Black achievement across football, bringing together the people making an impact across the game and the city.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Midlands Arts Centre for the Football Black List Birmingham Celebration, supported by The FA.
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
Creating opportunities 🤝
Supporting progression 📈
Developing the next generation of match officials 📚
At our latest CORE X camp, officials from across the pathway came together to train, learn and hear from those who have broken barriers in the game.
This is CORE X 💪
Leon Mann MBE retweeted
History made by @YayaToure. 👏🏾
The Slovan Bratislava head coach has become the first African manager to lead a team to the Champions League league stage.
Ten games unbeaten and back among Europe’s elite after a year away. Just look at what it means. 🙌🏾
🎥 @SKSlovan
Proud of you @YayaToure
10 games. No defeats. Champions League qualification.
In your first head coach role 💫👏🏽
