Riz Rehman was only nine years old when the challenges of achieving his dream to become a professional footballer came to light.

His father was the only South Asian parent on a coaching training course when he was struck by the demoralising answer to his question surrounding a lack of Asian players. It was when he went home to his children, that he passed on the deflating response.

The answer: “The weather, got the wrong diet and your kids are pushed towards education.”

Riz and his brother Zesh were told, “You’re good players, but you’ve got no chance.”

Times are changing and Riz - along with the help of his elder brother - are pushing their initiative through the Players’ Football Association (PFA) to boost the number of representatives from the South Asian community.

Zesh would go o

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