Kick It Out chair to leave role at end of season

Sanjay Bhandari will step down as chair of Kick It Out at the conclusion of the 2026/27 season, marking the end of his tenure leading English football's foremost anti-discrimination organization. Bhandari's departure comes after several years of overseeing the charity's efforts to combat racism, homophobia, and all forms of discrimination across professional and grassroots football. The organization, which has operated since 1993 and processes hundreds of discrimination cases annually, will begin the search for his successor following the announcement.

Bhandari's leadership has coincided with a period of heightened awareness around diversity issues in English football, particularly following high-profile incidents involving Premier League and Championship players. Kick It Out handles reports from fans, players, and officials regarding discriminatory behavior at matches and on social media, with the charity documenting thousands of cases each season. His decision to announce the timeline well in advance allows the organization adequate opportunity to identify experienced leadership to continue their mission of creating an inclusive environment across all levels of the game.

The transition period provides Kick It Out with stability while the board identifies Bhandari's replacement, ensuring continuity in their ongoing campaigns against discrimination in football. The organization's work extends beyond professional leagues to grassroots development, where youth participation across diverse communities remains a priority. As English football continues navigating evolving social responsibilities, the next chair will inherit both the established infrastructure Bhandari has developed and the ongoing challenge of addressing discriminatory behavior that persists despite years of anti-discrimination initiatives.