Image via Getty The Professional Footballers’ Association has reported an increase in the number of South Asian professional players for the second year in a row.There are 22 professionals of South Asian Heritage currently playing in England’s top four leagues – a 29% increase from the 17 players registered in 2022. Considering the numbers only rose by one between the 21/22 and 22/23 seasons, this is a huge sign of progress in English football.In addition to a rise in professional players, the number of academies with at least one South Asian player grew to 63% this season – a 10% increase compared to the season before.However, South Asians are still one of the least represented ethnicities in the sport, accounting for only 1% of professional players despite making up nearly 10% of the UK’s population. There are initiatives that are trying to address this clear lack of representation, such as the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme and Kick It Out’s South Asian Action Plan, but more needs to be done before the game becomes representative.Representation matters, and as the game focuses on increasing diversity both on and off the pitch – across the footballing pyramid – recent news indicates, there’s hope that more South Asian ballers will make their way into the sport at every level.