Sanjay Bhandari, who has served as the chair of the anti‑discrimination charity Kick It Out since his appointment in 2019, announced that he will relinquish his 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 drive the organisation’s mission of fostering equality and inclusion across the sport.
During his tenure, Bhandari presided over a period of significant transformation for Kick It Out. Under his leadership the charity achieved greater financial independence, refined its governance structures, and completely refreshed its board and senior management team. A new organisational framework was introduced, providing a clearer hierarchy and more efficient decision‑making processes.
These changes have positioned Kick It Out as a more resilient and forward‑looking body, better equipped to tackle the complex challenges of discrimination in football. In 2023 the charity unveiled its ambitious five‑year plan, titled “Football United.” The strategy is built around a vision of uniting governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, community groups and commercial partners to create lasting, positive change within the game. The plan emphasises collaborative action, education, and the development of robust reporting mechanisms to curb abuse.
In line with this strategic shift, Samuel Okafor was appointed chief executive in 2024, bringing fresh energy and expertise to the organisation’s day‑to‑day operations. 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.” He added that in a climate that often feels increasingly negative and divided, the charity is deliberately seeking to strike a different tone, one that celebrates unity and respect. Bhandari highlighted the importance of the incoming chair, noting that the new leader will be pivotal in realising the organisation’s vision. “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,” he explained. He further described the role as a unique opportunity for anyone who believes in football’s power to bring people together and who wishes to help shape the future of the national game.
In recognition of his contributions, Bhandari was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to football, acknowledging his dedication to the charity’s cause since its founding in 1993. The award underscores the impact of his work in promoting fairness and combating discrimination at all levels of the sport. Kick It Out will now launch a formal recruitment process aimed at identifying a preferred candidate by the end of December 2026. The selected individual will work alongside Bhandari for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, ensuring a smooth and orderly transition.
The new chair is expected to formally assume the position on 1 July 2027. The incoming chair will inherit a role that arrives at a critical juncture. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain in making football more inclusive and representative, both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Discrimination, whether based on race, gender, sexuality or other grounds, continues to surface, and the charity’s reporting service shows a steady rise in abuse cases.
Kick It Out has cemented its reputation as a leading advocate for policy reform, engaging with the UK Government, regulators and football’s governing bodies—including the Premier League, the English Football League, the Football Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association. Through these relationships, the charity influences legislation and guidelines aimed at eradicating prejudice from the sport.
Beyond policy work, Kick It Out delivers a range of education programmes. It works directly with supporters, runs sessions within club academies, and offers online resources designed to raise awareness and build skills for confronting discrimination.
Its “Raise Your Game” initiative provides development opportunities for individuals seeking to become agents of change within football communities. A notable partnership with Guinness 0.0 has expanded the charity’s reach beyond the stadium. Through this collaboration, more than 4,000 staff members across 900 Greene King sports bars in England, Scotland and Wales have been trained to recognise and address discriminatory behaviour.
This initiative demonstrates how Kick It Out is leveraging commercial partnerships to embed inclusion into everyday environments where fans gather. The charity also works with high‑profile partners such as Sky, McDonald’s Fun Football, Visit Tampa Bay and the Morrisons Foundation. These collaborations support the scaling of education and inclusion programmes, aligning with the “Football United” strategy’s aim to achieve measurable growth by 2030. In summary, Sanjay Bhandari’s departure marks the end of an era of steady growth and transformation for Kick It Out.
His leadership helped the charity secure financial stability, revamp its governance, and launch a forward‑looking strategic plan. As the organisation prepares to welcome a new chair, it remains committed to confronting discrimination, influencing policy, and harnessing the unifying power of football to create a more inclusive future for all participants and fans alike.