Leon Mann MBE

Consultant • Founder @wearebcoms @footieblacklist @refreshsport • Former @bbcsport @itvsport • @sportsja vice chair • @blackequityorg trustee

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

The @FootieBlackList is OUT NOW!

And we are starting the day by bigging up the Players who have made the list. Special people doing great things 🖤

[Football Black List @FootieBlackList]

FOOTBALL BLACK LIST 2025 ✨

PLAYERS – OFF THE PITCH

@NaomiBedeau | @OfficialOUWFC & @GrenadaFootball international | Founder, Beat the Block CIC

Jess Carter | @GothamFC & @Lionesses international

@alexiwobi | @FulhamFC and @NGSuperEagles international | Founder, Project 17

Shakira Waithe | Barbados footballer & football coach

@EbereEze10 | @Arsenal & @England international | Founder, The Eze Foundation

[Football Black List @FootieBlackList]

History made by @YayaToure. 👏🏾

The Slovan Bratislava head coach has become the first African manager to lead a team to the Champions League league stage.

Ten games unbeaten and back among Europe’s elite after a year away. Just look at what it means. 🙌🏾

🎥 @SKSlovan

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

Proud of you @YayaToure

10 games. No defeats. Champions League qualification.

In your first head coach role 💫👏🏽

[Yaya Touré @YayaToure]

Proud of my players, staff, the club and our fans!

Proud to be in the Champions League together.

Proud to be African.

Lots more to do. Together!

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

Absolutely buzzing for @YayaToure qualifying with SK Slovan for the Champions League in his very first head coach role!

10 games in. 0 defeats!

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[UEFA Champions League @ChampionsLeague]

Slovan Bratislava secure the final spot in the 2026/27 league phase 😤

#UCL

[Pro Ref @prorefofficial]

Congratulations to Levi Gray, who was recognised at the @FootieBlackList Birmingham Celebration 🏆

A Women’s Professional Game Group match official and serving Lieutenant in the British Army, Levi continues to make her mark in refereeing, having been part of the officiating team for the 2024 @WomensFACup Final at Wembley Stadium.

A brilliant recognition of her achievements and impact across the game 👏

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

COYS!!!

[Tottenham Hotspur @SpursOfficial]

Tottenham ’Til I Die.

A film by Alfie Whiteman
Sound by Les Whiteman
Narrated by Himesh Patel

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

Pure Fantasy…

Opening up a Fantasy Football League to see if I’m as bad as I think I may be.

Come beat me?! 😅

https://t.co/uT5VViScQj

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

A fantastic @FootieBlackList Birmingham last week at @mac_birmingham 🖤

Congratulations to all the amazing awardees and big thanks to @FA for supporting.

We also celebrated Eni Aluko MBE as a Birmingham legend with @BlackEquityOrg 👏🏽

Unity. Community. Opportunity 💫

[BBC Sport @BBCSport]

It's gold for Great Britain in the mixed 4x100m relay final 🥇🔥

Jeremiah Azu 👏 Dina Asher-Smith 👏 Zharnel Hughes 👏 Amy Hunt 👏

[Apna England @ApnaEngland]

Incredible night for our members at the @FootieBlackList in #Birmingham. ​Absolute privilege meeting @Lionesses royalty Kerry Davis & Eni Aluko & former @England star @TonyDaley7. Huge congrats to all the deserving winners!
​#FootballBlackList #ApnaEngland #fblcelebration

[Football Black List @FootieBlackList]

🗓️ On this day in 1997, Uriah Rennie made history.

Taking charge of Derby County v Wimbledon, Uriah became the first Black referee in Premier League history, breaking a barrier at the highest level of English football.

He went on to referee 175 Premier League matches across 10 seasons, inspiring generations of Black officials who followed.

Following his passing last year, today we remember a true pioneer whose impact on the game went far beyond the pitch. 🖤

[BBC Sport @BBCSport]

What is your guilty pleasure? 😮

Zharnel Hughes, Amy Hunt and Karsten Warholm have spoken! 🗣️

[Pro Ref @prorefofficial]

"To the young girl who simply loved refereeing, we did it. Thank you, football."

Assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis MBE has announced her retirement from officiating after a remarkable career, to take up the role of Senior Manager - Women Referees with The FA.

Since reaching the Premier League in 2010, at the time only the second female to ever do so, Massey-Ellis has officiated on over 150 top-flight matches. Alongside a plethora of domestic milestones, including five Women's FA Cup finals and becoming the first female appointed to both the FA Community Shield and Men’s FA Cup final, she also has an impressive international resume. She has been involved in three UEFA Women’s Champions League finals, four UEFA Women's EUROs, two FIFA Women’s World Cups and she was also the first English woman appointed to a men's European fixture.

🔗 Read more here: https://t.co/YGjkkpM08K

[SpursREACH @SpursREACH]

South Asian Heritage Month celebrates the history, cultures and contributions of people with roots across South Asia. It is a time to recognise shared experiences, explore the diversity within South Asian communities, challenge stereotypes for the better! 💪🏾

🇦🇫🇧🇩🇧🇹🇮🇳🇲🇻🇲🇺🇳🇵🇵🇰🇱🇰

[Pro Ref @prorefofficial]

A weekend that leaves a lasting impact 💪

For Kyon Dawson-Brown, his first CORE X camp offered a glimpse into an elite refereeing environment, alongside ambitious officials, experienced coaches and mentors.

🔀 Swipe to hear about his experience and what the weekend meant to him.

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

High emotions.

Blame.

Anger.

The immediate aftermath of any tournament exit.

Football doesn’t half get us.

Bloody hell. 😮‍💨

But we will be back… and full of hope again.

We move… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Leon Mann MBE @Leon_Mann]

HUGE

Wow. What a performance.

🦁 🦁 🦁

[Refresh Sports @Refreshsport]

Let’s goooooooo @zharnel_hughes 🥇

[Football Black List @FootieBlackList]

Recognising excellence on and off the pitch. 🖤

Congratulations to Lauren James MBE, Jess Carter MBE, Michelle Agyemang MBE and Tony Whelan MBE on their recognition in the King's Birthday Honours.

From inspiring the nation with the Lionesses to creating opportunities for generations of young footballers, all three continue to make a lasting impact on our game.

👏🏿👏🏽👏🏾

[Yaya Touré @YayaToure]

Proud to be appointed Head Coach of @SKSlovan 💙

I’m looking forward to working with the players, staff and leadership as we begin this new chapter together.

To the fans - we are together in our mission and you will be central in our success.

Let’s get to work! 💫

[Refresh Sports @Refreshsport]

Wishing good luck to our client @YayaToure in his new role as Head Coach at @SKSlovan 👏👏👏

We are with you! 💫