Sanjay Bhandari, who has chaired 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 to build on the substantial progress made under his leadership. During his tenure, Bhandari has overseen a sweeping transformation of the organisation. He steered Kick It Out toward greater financial independence, introduced robust governance structures, and oversaw the replacement of the entire board and senior management team.
In addition, he re‑designed the internal team layout to better align resources with the charity’s expanding remit. These changes have positioned Kick It Out as a more resilient and agile voice for equality in sport. One of the most visible milestones of Bhandari’s chairmanship was the launch of the five‑year "Football United" strategy last year.
The plan sets out an ambitious vision that brings together governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, community groups and commercial partners in a coordinated effort to drive lasting cultural change across the game. The strategy was complemented by the appointment of Samuel Okafor as chief executive in 2024, a move that further reinforced the organisation’s commitment to professional leadership and strategic continuity. Reflecting on his time in the role, Bhandari said, "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 have been recognised at the national level; he was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to football, acknowledging the impact of his work with the charity since its founding in 1993.
The honour underscores the significance of Kick It Out’s mission and the role its leadership has played in advancing inclusive practices across the sport. The charity will now commence a formal recruitment process aimed at identifying a preferred candidate by the end of December 2026. The incoming chair is expected to work alongside Bhandari for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, ensuring a smooth transition before formally assuming the role on 1 July 2027. This overlap period is designed to maintain continuity, allowing the new leader to become familiar with ongoing projects, stakeholder relationships, and the strategic priorities outlined in Football United.
The next chair will inherit a position that sits at the nexus of several pressing challenges. Football continues to grapple with issues of inclusivity and representation both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Discrimination—whether based on race, gender, sexuality, or disability—remains a persistent problem, and the charity’s discrimination reporting service continues to record a rise in abuse cases. Addressing these concerns requires not only advocacy but also concrete educational programmes and policy interventions.
Kick It Out has established itself as a leading advocate for policy reform, working closely with government departments, regulators and the sport’s governing bodies, including the Premier League, the English Football League, the FA and the PFA. Its influence extends to the grassroots level through education initiatives delivered to supporters, club academies and online audiences. The "Raise Your Game" programme, for instance, offers development opportunities that empower individuals to become agents of change within their own clubs and communities. A notable recent development has been the partnership with Guinness 0.0, through which 4,000 staff across 900 Greene King sports bars in England, Scotland and Wales have been trained to recognise and challenge discriminatory behaviour.
This collaboration illustrates Kick It Out’s strategy of embedding inclusion training in everyday environments where football fans gather, thereby extending the charity’s reach beyond the traditional football setting. Further partnerships with high‑profile organisations such as Sky, McDonald’s Fun Football, Visit Tampa Bay and the Morrisons Foundation are also part of the broader growth agenda. These alliances are intended to amplify education and inclusion programmes, with the aim of scaling impact through 2030. By leveraging the resources and audiences of commercial partners, Kick It Out hopes to embed its values more deeply into the cultural fabric of the sport.
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 charity’s continued focus on policy advocacy, education, reporting and partnership work positions it to confront the ongoing challenges of discrimination and to foster a more inclusive football environment for future generations.