Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari has announced he will step down from the role at the end of the 2026–27 season, after more than seven years leading the UK football equality charity.
- Sanjay Bhandari will step down as Kick It Out chair at the end of the 2026–27 season after more than seven years in the role.
- Kick It Out will run a recruitment process to identify a preferred successor by the end of December 2026; the new chair is expected to formally start on 1 July 2027 after an overlap period.
- Bhandari’s tenure is reported to have included governance changes, financial restructuring and the launch of the Football United strategy; the organisation continues to focus on reporting, education and partnership work.
What has been confirmed
According to statements reported by multiple outlets, Bhandari — appointed chair in 2019 — will leave the post at the close of the 2026–27 campaign. Kick It Out intends to run a formal recruitment process to identify a preferred candidate by the end of December 2026. The organisation has said the incoming chair will work alongside Bhandari during the remainder of the 2026–27 season, with a formal handover expected from 1 July 2027.
Context: Bhandari’s tenure and Kick It Out’s recent direction
Reporting summarises Bhandari’s period in charge as one of organisational change. He has been linked with efforts that, according to the coverage, delivered improved financial independence and governance, a refreshed board and leadership team, and a revised staffing structure. Under the current strategy, known as Football United, the charity has focused on bringing governing bodies, clubs, players and communities together to tackle discrimination and broaden inclusion in the game.
Coverage also notes Kick It Out’s ongoing work areas: a discrimination reporting service, education and inclusion programmes aimed at supporters and academies, and partnerships with commercial and community organisations to broaden reach. Samuel Okafor is recorded as the organisation’s chief executive; Kick It Out launched a five-year strategy under the leadership team during Bhandari’s tenure.
Why it matters for football governance and inclusion
Kick It Out is widely described in the reporting as a principal advocacy and delivery body addressing racism and other discrimination in English football. A change of chair matters because the board chair helps shape the charity’s strategic direction, partnership priorities and public profile. The new chair will take over as Kick It Out continues to press governing bodies, clubs and other partners to implement policy and education programmes.
Reporting indicates the charity remains engaged with the Premier League, EFL, FA and PFA, while also delivering community-facing projects. Observers interested in board-level influence on equality work — including clubs’ anti-discrimination policies and reporting pathways for supporters or players — will therefore watch the recruitment and selection process.
Timeline and next steps
- 2019 — Sanjay Bhandari appointed chair of Kick It Out (reported).
- 2024 — Bhandari awarded an MBE for services to football during his time with the charity (reported).
- 2024–25 period — Organisation launches the Football United five-year strategy and appoints Samuel Okafor as chief executive (reported timing in coverage).
- By end of December 2026 — Kick It Out will run a recruitment process and aims to identify a preferred candidate (organisation statement reported).
- End of 2026–27 season — Bhandari will step down; incoming chair expected to work alongside him during the remainder of that season (reported).
- 1 July 2027 — Reported formal start date for the new chair following the handover.
What is confirmed vs what remains to be decided
- Confirmed: Bhandari’s decision to step down at the end of 2026–27, the recruitment process to identify a preferred candidate by December 2026, and the planned transitional overlap before a 1 July 2027 formal start for the successor. These points are reported consistently across sources.
- To be decided: the identity of the new chair, the detailed selection criteria and the specific priorities the incoming chair will set. News coverage notes the role will be significant but does not provide further specifics about the final candidate or any contractual terms.
Practical implications for clubs, players and supporters
For clubs and governing bodies, a new chair could mean fresh emphasis within Kick It Out’s strategic priorities or different approaches to partnership and campaigning. For players and supporters who use Kick It Out’s reporting service, the immediate services and campaigns are expected to continue under the charity’s existing leadership team while the board runs the recruitment process.
Comparison with other governance changes in sport
The reported approach — announcing a planned departure well ahead of the handover and running an open recruitment process with an overlap period — mirrors governance best practice widely adopted in sports charities and national governing bodies. That model aims to preserve organisational stability while allowing the incoming chair to receive direct handover and build relationships with partners.
What to watch next
- Kick It Out’s announcements about the recruitment timeline, role specification and application process (expected before the end of December 2026).
- Public statements from Kick It Out, the chief executive or the eventual preferred candidate about strategic priorities after the handover.
- Any immediate shifts in partnerships or campaigns following the appointment of the new chair.
Coverage for this article was drawn from reports published by national outlets. Exact phrasing quoted in this story — including the description of Kick It Out’s strategy as “Football United” and Bhandari’s phrase that it has been a “tremendous honour” to chair the charity — appear in the reporting cited by major news organisations.