Sanjay Bhandari will step down as chair of anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out at the end of the 2026-27 season, concluding more than seven years in the role. His departure matters because he has overseen significant organisational changes at a prominent voice for equality and inclusion in football, and his successor will be expected to carry forward its ‘Football United’ strategy.

Bhandari became chair in 2019 and received an MBE in 2024 for services to football during his time with the charity, founded in 1993. Under his leadership, Kick It Out says it strengthened its financial independence and governance, appointed a new board and leadership team, and restructured its staff; recruitment for a replacement is due to identify a preferred candidate by December, with a handover leading to a formal start on 1 July 2027.