The scheme will focus on increasing South Asian representation at U-9 to U-11 level.
The English Premier League has put in place an action plan to help young South Asian footballers progress into professional football.
The scheme, launched in conjunction with anti-discrimination body Kick It Out, is part of the No Room For Racism plan, which aims to improve the game, coaching and enforcement pathways for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.
It will focus on increasing South Asian representation at the U9 to U11 level and will include research into barriers to entry into the sport for young players.
According to data released by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in March, there are only 16 professional footballers in the top four tiers of English football with British South Asian descent.
“The South Asia Action Plan is a long-term project that will allow us to look at and improve the diversity of everyone within the academy system, both on and off the pitch,” said Premier League director of football, Neil Saunders.
“The representation of South Asians on the pitch in elite soccer is a statistical anomaly,” said Kick It Out president Sanjay Bhandari.
“Currently, it reflects neither the population nor the popularity of football among the British South Asian community. As fans, we love the game and we want to be seen on the field more.”
English cricket has also been attempting to address a lack of South Asian representation in the sport after a number of players, including former Yorkshireman Azeem Rafiq, alleged they were victims of institutional racism at their clubs.