Sanjay Bhandari, who has served as chair of the anti‑discrimination charity Kick It Out since his appointment in 2019, announced that he will vacate the post at the conclusion of the 2026/27 football season. After more than seven years at the helm, Bhandari plans to hand over the reins to a successor who will continue the organisation's work of promoting equality and inclusion across the sport. During his tenure, Bhandari oversaw a sweeping transformation of the charity. He guided Kick It Out toward greater financial independence, introduced robust governance structures, and oversaw the complete renewal of the board and senior leadership team.
Under his direction the charity adopted a fresh organisational layout that better aligned its various programmes and initiatives. In 2023 the body unveiled a five‑year strategic plan called "Football United," a blueprint designed to bring together governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, community groups and commercial partners in a coordinated effort to drive lasting cultural change within football.
The strategic shift was complemented by the appointment of Samuel Okafor as chief executive in 2024, a move that further cemented the charity’s new direction. In a statement, Bhandari reflected on his time in the role: "It has been a tremendous honour to chair Kick It Out. Our 'Football United' strategy is deliberately built on a vision of bringing together governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, communities and partners to create lasting change. In a world that often feels increasingly negative and divided, we are consciously seeking to strike a different tone.
The new chair will play a pivotal role in helping Kick It Out deliver that vision, by leading an experienced and committed Board, and working closely with our chief executive to represent an organisation that has become one of the most respected voices for equality and inclusion in sport. This is a unique opportunity for someone who believes in the power of football to bring people together and who wants to help shape the future of the nation's game." Bhandari’s contributions were recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours when he was awarded an MBE for services to football.
The charity, founded in 1993, has grown from a small advocacy group into a leading voice influencing policy, working closely with the UK Government, regulators and the sport’s governing bodies—including the Premier League, the English Football League, the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association. Following Bhandari’s announcement, Kick It Out has launched a formal recruitment process to identify a preferred candidate by the end of December 2026. The incoming chair will spend the remainder of the 2026/27 season working alongside Bhandari to ensure a smooth transition, with the official hand‑over scheduled for 1 July 2027. The new leader will inherit a role that sits at a critical juncture: football continues to grapple with deep‑rooted issues of racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination both on the pitch and in the stands.
The charity’s mandate remains to challenge these behaviours, influence policy, and foster a more inclusive culture. Kick It Out’s work spans several pillars. It maintains a discrimination‑reporting service that records incidents of abuse, a function that has seen a steady rise in reports, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance. The charity also runs education programmes aimed at supporters, club academies and online audiences, and its "Raise Your Game" initiative provides development opportunities for individuals seeking to become agents of change within the sport.
Partnerships have been a cornerstone of its expansion; a notable collaboration with Guinness 0.0 has resulted in the training of 4,000 staff members across 900 Greene King sports bars in England, Scotland and Wales to recognise and intervene in discriminatory behaviour. Further collaborations with high‑profile partners such as Sky Sports, McDonald’s Fun Football, Visit Tampa Bay and the Morrisons Foundation are set to broaden the reach of Kick It Out’s educational and inclusion programmes through to 2030. These alliances not only provide financial support but also amplify the charity’s messaging to a wider audience, leveraging media platforms and community events to promote respect and equality. Looking ahead, the incoming chair will be tasked with sustaining the momentum of the "Football United" strategy while navigating emerging challenges.
These include the need to address online abuse, which has become increasingly sophisticated, and to ensure that grassroots initiatives keep pace with the professional game’s evolving diversity agenda. The role will also involve close liaison with the charity’s board, the chief executive, and external stakeholders to secure funding, influence legislation and embed inclusive practices across all levels of football. In summary, Sanjay Bhandari’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Kick It Out, but also the beginning of a new era under fresh leadership.
The organisation’s continued focus on education, reporting, partnership development and strategic advocacy positions it to remain at the forefront of the fight against discrimination in sport. As the recruitment process unfolds, the football community will be watching closely to see who will step into the chair and help steer Kick It Out toward its next phase of impact, ensuring that the beautiful game truly becomes a space where everyone feels welcome and respected.