Carlthejackal - don't get me wrong. I agree with your points overall. The statistical proof that they are not getting the jobs SEEMS to imply something. But there isn't proof. In the united states, there are documented cases where companies have circulated memos and internal directives not to hire blacks. There are cases where people change their name to more white sounding ones and get 3 times as many results for job interviews.
This data is assumed to imply racism - the documents prove it. In football the statistical data implies that something is wrong but there is NO evidence that proves it. Until that evidence comes to light the reason could be anything. Empirically speaking you cannot assume racism.
What are the numbers then? What percentage of black applicants usually get a job compared to their white counterparts? What percentage are denied, actually. Do these numbers remain constant throughout the divisions? Across positions lower than manager? What are the rates of applications to these posts?
Obviously a company won't come out and say - we don't want you because you're black. But you can find examples in the US where people claim they are the best qualified entrants for that position and find that it is true but they don't get the job. There are documented proofs of racism. Subtleness isn't proof either way. Racism can be subtle but it can also be blatant. Remember that for a job in England probably 50 people apply. Are all these people rejected because they're black or because they are not as skilled as someone else? How many blacks apply compared to whites? These need to be known before we can conclude its racism.