Asad Farooq, aged 25, holds a degree in stadium and event management, with previous experience at Tottenham and the World Cup in Qatar. He applied for an administrative role at Liverpool in November last year but wasn’t granted an interview. Despite his qualifications aligning with the job description’s requirement of experience in an elite sporting environment, Farooq learned that other candidates selected for interviews had supposedly superior experience levels than he had indicated.
Seeking justice, Farooq enlisted Yunus Lunat, a lawyer and a prominent figure as the first Muslim on the Football Association (FA) council and an ethnic minority representative on Liverpool’s official supporters’ committee. Farooq discovered via LinkedIn that the individual hired for the role seemingly held only one full-time job post-graduation and lacked any football-related experience.
Expressing his frustration, Farooq highlighted his efforts as a South Asian to break into the industry but faced a lack of opportunities. He emphasized his capability for the Liverpool job and criticized the club’s recruitment practices, especially in light of their stated commitment to diversity.
Farooq mentioned that despite his requests, Liverpool has not shared its diversity data, leaving him with only the Football Association’s publicly available report. This report set a 15% target for new hires in senior roles to be Black, Asian, or of mixed heritage. Liverpool’s results fell short at 0% and 9%, respectively, contrasting with the overall results from the 54 participating teams.
The Guardian reported Liverpool’s refusal to disclose diversity data or comment on Farooq’s case due to ongoing legal proceedings. The club is anticipated to seek dismissal of the case during an employment tribunal hearing scheduled for March.
Liverpool performance and stats
Liverpool is currently 1st in the Premier League with 42 points.
In the last 19 games, it has won 12 times, drawn 6 times, and lost once. In its last match, Liverpool won 0-2 against Burnley.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 39 goals and conceding 16.
Liverpool will play the next match in Premier League against Newcastle United on Monday 1st of January in Liverpool. The prediction is Liverpool winning the match.