03 January 2023 , 22:00
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Bhupinder Singh Gill will make history on Wednesday night when he becomes the first Sikh-Punjabi to be among the officials for Southampton ’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Singh Gill, 37, will be an assistant referee in the Premier League clash following on from his father Jarnail Singh who was the first turbaned referee in English football. His brother Sunny also refereed an EFL game earlier this season.
Dad-of-two Singh Gill said: “This has to be the proudest and most exciting moment in my refereeing journey so far, but I’m not getting carried away as it is just another step in the direction to where I want to get to.
“My family are also really proud and excited for me. I wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for my dad, who has supported me throughout my journey and been a role model for me.
“He’s taken leave from work to make sure he attends the game alongside my wife and son. It’ll be special to have them there.”
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PE teacher Singh Gill is part of the new Elite Referee Development Plan which has got a 28 strong development group designed to give more officials opportunities and promote diversity.
In May last year the Black and Minority Ethnic Referee Support Group questioned the Professional Game and Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) over the lack of ethnic diversity within refereeing, pointing out that it was impossible for BAME officials to apply for new jobs.
Nottingham Forest will be the visitors to Southampton on Wednesday (AFP via Getty Images)“In our opinion, it is completely unacceptable that the early job specification for roles to help activate the Elite Referee Development Programme (ERDP) strategy fails to tackle discrimination and exclusion practices that have prevented credible applications from candidates of ethnic origin (people of colour)," they said.
“We believe that unless a positive action approach is introduced, this will remain a continued barrier to achieving the set goals of more diversity and inclusion in the future of refereeing.
“The elite refereeing team has been criticised for under-representation of racial and ethnic minorities. At elite levels (Select Group 1 & 2 – top two divisions of the English Game), there are currently no referees of colour from an ethnic origin background.
“There are only three other referees of colour in the subsequent four divisions of the English game. This clearly indicates a level of crisis underpinned by structural discrimination within the refereeing and puts at risk the equal inclusion of racial and ethnic minority referees in the future of the sport.”