Bukayo Saka has been recognised at this year’s Football Black List ceremony by winning the award for Player - Off the Pitch.
Our forward was honoured for his efforts in promoting inclusion outside of football, coming out on top of his category ahead of England teammates Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, Andre Gray of Aris and Jamaica and Charlotte Lynch, who plays for Leyton Orient Women.
Despite being on international duty with England and being unable to collect his award, Bukayo recorded a message stating his gratitude, saying: “I want to say a big thank you to the Football Black List for this award - I appreciated your recognition.
“There are so many other great voices out there and people doing amazing things so let’s all continue to encourage them and try to make a difference where we can.”
#FBL2022 Players - Off The Pitch winner @BukayoSaka87 couldn’t be with us this evening as he is away with @England, but he did send us this message 🖤 pic.twitter.com/AxAdS5p5fA
— Football Black List (@FootieBlackList) March 22, 2023
The Football Black List was founded in 2008 by journalists Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, and highlights leaders working across all areas of the game from the Black community. A panel of experts drawn from the football industry and the Black community independently vote on nominations made by the public to determine who makes the list.
The panel included representation from the Premier League, The Football Association, League Managers Association, English Football League, PGMOL, BCOMS and Kick It Out.
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