I don't know if it's because I'm black, but I'm sure that at the moment my colour's not helping me

Former Bradford City left winger Andy Kiwomya

The author of the report, Steve Bradbury, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme there was a "glass ceiling" for black ex-professionals trying to get into a managerial role.

Former Bradford City left winger Andy Kiwomya agreed with him.

He has tried to become an academy coach with several clubs since retiring three years ago, without success.

"I don't know if it's because I'm black, but I'm sure that at the moment my colour's not helping me."

The study is the first audit of recommendations to rid the sport of racism, made three years ago by the government's football task force.

The report said very few clubs had heeded the recommendations.

Only two clubs out of the 92 Premier League and Football League clubs have black managers - Darlington's Gary Bennett and Exeter's Noel Blake.

Sheffield United and Leeds United were among the clubs which had implemented many, if not all, of the recommendations.

Leeds's Peter Ridsdale: Leading the way

Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale prides his club on leading the way in fighting racism - despite figures suggesting the club had more arrests for racist chanting last season than any other team in the Premiership.

"It's one thing having the policy and the second thing is to make sure it's working," Mr Ridsdale said.

"So every so often what you need to do is audit whether or not what we set in place in company policies is actually happening in practice."

But Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon argued that such targets were not necessary.

"All the activities that we are embarking upon... is based on reaching the broadest possible cross-section, so we don't take the view of targeting specific minorities," he said.

Word of mouth

Mr Bradbury said most senior posts in football were filled by word of mouth.

He said this works to the advantage of ex-professionals - and thus puts people from ethnic minority communities at a disadvantage.

We don't take the view of targeting specific minorities

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon

"Since we have no Asian professionals, that then gravitates against the recruitment of Asian coaches," he gave as an example.

Gurbux Singh, chairman of the Campaign for Racial Equality (CRE), says the study's findings are "disappointing".

"It saddens me that clubs appear not to attach too great an importance to the problems of racism within football," he said.

He admitted that the mere fact of poor ethnic minority representation did not necessarily suggest "racism".

Young Asian players have not broken through. Clubs should be asking themselves - why is that?

CRE chairman Gurbux Singh

"But what is clear is that there are a number of problems which do actually exist," he said.

"It is absolutely clear that over the last 10 to 15 years black players have broken into professional football.

"There is no doubt about that and that is to be welcomed but it is also true that young Asian players have not broken through.

"The issue here is that football clubs should be asking themselves - why is that?"