Sanjay Bhandari, who has served as chair of the anti‑discrimination charity Kick It Out since 2019, announced that he will vacate the position at the conclusion of the 2026/27 football season. After more than seven years at the helm, Bhandari will hand over the reins to a successor who will be selected through a formal recruitment drive that aims to name a preferred candidate by December 2026. During his tenure, Bhandari presided over a period of substantial change within the organisation. He guided Kick It Out through a financial restructuring that enhanced its independence, introduced a new governance framework, and oversaw the appointment of an entirely fresh board and senior leadership team.
The charity also rolled out a revamped internal structure designed to improve efficiency and impact. In 2023 the charity unveiled a five‑year plan titled "Football United," a strategy that seeks to unite governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, community groups and commercial partners around a shared vision of lasting cultural change in the sport. The plan was launched alongside the appointment of Samuel Okafor as chief executive in 2024, marking a new era of strategic leadership.
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." He added that the incoming chair will be pivotal in advancing the strategy, working closely with the chief executive and an experienced board to maintain Kick It Out's reputation as one of the most respected voices for equality and inclusion in sport. Bhandari, who was recognised with an MBE in 2024 for his services to football, highlighted the unique opportunity the role presents: "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." His departure will be managed through an orderly transition, with the new chair expected to collaborate with him throughout the remainder of the 2026/27 season before formally assuming duties on 1 July 2027.
The incoming chair will inherit a landscape where significant challenges remain. Football continues to grapple with issues of inclusion, representation, and discrimination both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Kick It Out has positioned itself as a leading advocate for policy reform, engaging with government bodies, regulators, and the sport's governing organisations—including the Premier League, the English Football League, the FA and the PFA.
Beyond advocacy, the charity runs a suite of education programmes aimed at supporters, club academies and online audiences. Its "Raise Your Game" initiative offers development opportunities for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of equality and inclusion. A core component of the organisation’s work is its discrimination reporting service, which tracks incidents of abuse; recent data show that reports are still on the rise, underscoring the need for continued vigilance. Kick It Out has also broadened its reach through strategic partnerships.
A notable collaboration with Guinness 0.0 has resulted in the training of approximately 4,000 staff members to recognise and counteract discrimination across 900 Greene King sports bars throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Additional alliances with Sky, McDonald’s Fun Football, Visit Tampa Bay and the Morrisons Foundation are set to fuel further expansion of the charity’s education and inclusion programmes, supporting the long‑term objectives laid out in the Football United strategy through to 2030.
As the organisation prepares for this leadership transition, its mission remains clear: to harness the unifying power of football to challenge prejudice, promote diversity and foster an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate. The forthcoming chair will be tasked with sustaining momentum, deepening partnerships, and ensuring that Kick It Out continues to be a catalyst for positive change across the sport at every level. The recruitment process will be transparent and rigorous, aiming to secure a candidate who not only possesses strong governance experience but also shares a genuine passion for the charitable purpose of the organisation. By the end of the 2026/27 season, the new chair will be fully integrated, ready to lead Kick It Out into its next chapter of growth and impact, building on the solid foundation laid by Bhandari and his team.
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