Football Black List 2025: Emerson Bargao Recognised Alongside Eberechi Eze and Jess Carter

The Football Black List has recognised Benchviews Sports TV’s own Emerson Bargao in the media category, alongside players including Eberechi Eze and Jess Carter.

The award’s winners have been announced, continuing a platform that highlights achievement while prompting discussion around representation in football.

Founded in 2008 by sports journalists Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, the initiative was created to spotlight Black excellence across the game.

It recognises individuals across playing, coaching, executive, media and community roles.

Its purpose is to address the gap between visibility on the pitch and representation off it.

While Black players have long been central to football, that presence has not always extended into leadership and decision-making roles.

Progress has been made, but representation at senior levels remains uneven.

The importance of the Football Black List goes beyond recognition. It has become one of the most influential platforms in football for driving accountability, visibility and opportunity.

By publicly celebrating Black excellence across all areas of the game, it challenges institutions to reflect on their structures and pushes the conversation around diversity forward.

For many within football, inclusion on the list is not just an award it is validation of impact, influence and contribution within an industry that has historically lacked representation off the pitch.

This year introduces the Barclays Community and Grassroots category.

The category recognises those working at local level, including coaches, volunteers and organisers supporting the game within their communities.

Benchviews’ founder and director, Emerson Bargao, has been included in this year’s Football Black List within the media category.

The recognition reflects the platform’s growing presence within football media.

Benchviews is part of a wider shift towards independent storytelling within the game.

It represents a space where coverage is shaped by perspectives closer to football’s culture and communities.

Recognition from the Football Black List signals that this work is being acknowledged within the industry not just for its reach, but for its relevance and authenticity in modern football media.

Players such as Eberechi Eze and Alex Iwobi are included alongside Lionesses defender Jess Carter.

Their inclusion reflects influence beyond the pitch.

Women are also represented across leadership, media and grassroots football.

Co-founder Leon Mann highlighted the significance of recognition across different areas of football, particularly for those who have historically faced additional barriers:

“Black women often face significant barriers in sport and society, so this recognition is a testament to their talent and resilience. I hope their visibility inspires future generations.”

Figures such as Jessica Creighton and Debra Nelson are recognised for their work within governance and the women’s game.

Coaches and practitioners including Carly Williams and Nicole Farley also feature, celebrating Black women at every level of football.

Representation across football structures is still uneven.

The list continues to highlight those contributing across the game while underlining the need for greater inclusion.

Football Black List 2025 in full

MEDIA

Sirayah Shiraz, DAZN and PLP

Emerson Bargao, Benchviews TV

Chris Reidy, Sky Sports

Karel Prince, HMRC of Football

Reece Bedford, Arsenal FC

PLAYERS

Naomi Bedeau, Oxford United Women and Grenada

Jess Carter, Gotham FC and England

Alex Iwobi, Fulham and Nigeria

Shakira Waithe, Enfield Town

Eberechi Eze, Arsenal and England

COACHING AND MANAGEMENT

Carly Williams, Brentford Women

Kolo Toure, Manchester City

Justin Cochrane, England men’s team

Nicole Farley, West Ham United

Simon Mesfin, Lillestrom Director of Football

COMMERCIAL

Bree Sesay, Sid Lee Sport

Sechaba Ntsiu, EA Sports

Milena Mesfin, Fredrikstaad FC

David Lynam, Kaizen Ticketing Solutions

Nathan Dyer, Agent

PRACTITIONERS

Celeste Stevens, Reading FC

Martin Sinclair, Disability Football Collective

Kerris Dunn, Premier League

Martin Ingham-Griffith, Foundation 92

Peter Augustine, The FA

UGO EHIOGU ONES TO WATCH

Daniel Jinadu, Beyond Football

Charlotte Akster, Notts County Foundation

Naythan Din-Kiriuki, Aston Villa

Rhianna Blake, Switched On Media

Mia Lazaro, Freelance events consultant

LORD OUSELEY LEADERS

Jessica Creighton, FA Women’s National League Board

Imani Esmaail, Wrexham AFC

Debra Nelson, WSL Board

Omar Berrada, Manchester United CEO

Paul Elliott, Charlton Vice Chair

BARCLAYS COMMUNITY AND GRASSROOTS

Jude Geoghegan, Estudiantes (Disability football coach)

Aura Chacon, Leicester City in the Community

Esther Elias, EOE Collective

Cheryl Amatrading, Antoin Akpom Achievements Foundation

Kafele Morgan, Kick Action Academy

LGBTQ+

Liz Ward, Consultant