THERE have been two reports published recently concerning football.

One is from an all-party group of MPs about finance with a recommendation that money should be more evenly distributed throughout the Premiership, Football League and Conference.

It is suggested that a further 5% of television money goes from the Premiership pot to be shared amongst League and Conference Clubs. It is a figure of around £30 million, which would, even on a grading format, be very welcome.

The other report, which I have not had an opportunity to read in depth, is a Government-backed inquiry into racism in football.

I understand that the report will accuse football of institutionalised racism and that steps must be taken to address the problem. More people from ethnic backgrounds should be on FA committees, administrative posts and managerial and coaching positions.

Racism should be condemned out of hand - it is abhorrent and the message is clear at Edgar Street that anyone guilty of racist abuse will face a lifetime ban.

Having said that, I am sceptical about such reports. On the playing side all managers are colour blind. If a player can play, wants to work and has the necessary desire to be successful, he is in - if not he is out. The colour of his skin or his background does not enter the equation.

I am aware that coloured players do suffer from racist abuse occasionally and that must be a terrible situation for them, but most handle it extremely well and often use it as a spur to answer the abusers with their performances on the field.

I am sceptical about moves to implement positive discrimination, installing people from an ethnic background for the sake of it. Take FA council members and committee members - many of them have put 30 or 40 years of hard work into grassroots football and eventually are rewarded with full council membership. Why should they lose out?

Managerial and coaching positions should always go to the best candidates, no matter what background they are from. It would be fair to say that we are only on the second generation of black players. Given time, a higher percentage will emerge as top managers and coaches.

In the meantime I concur with Chris Kamara, the coloured SKY television pundit, who spoke of the need to get the necessary qualifications and get around the scouting scene. Leroy Rossenior and Keith Alexander at Lincoln are doing great jobs and there will be plenty more to follow.

The whole matter is a very sensitive subject, often easier not to have opinion on. However, I have an opinion and that is that forcing the issue of putting people into posts because of their colour or ethnic background is wrong. The natural process of second and third generation players will evolve into good coaches and managers, providing of course that is the career they wish to pursue when their playing days are over.