“Football has a unique power to bring people together"
English football has long been a stage for passion, unity, and community, but it also continues to battle deep-rooted issues of discrimination and inequality.
From racial abuse in stadiums to a lack of representation in boardrooms, the sport still reflects wider social divisions.
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has now launched a bold five-year plan called ‘Football United’ to change that reality.
The strategy, unveiled at an event in London on September 4, calls for governing bodies, clubs, players, and fans to work together to ensure football is truly inclusive.
It is not just about reacting to incidents of abuse, but about reshaping the game so that every supporter and professional feels welcomed, represented, and respected.
A United Approach to Inclusion
The charity’s strategy includes increasing the representation of South Asian players in the men’s game.
It also aims to boost the number of black, Asian and mixed heritage players in the women’s game.
Kick It Out wants greater diversity among coaches, referees and board members.
Workforce diversity data under FA Rule N shows that most clubs still fail to represent their local communities across gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and disability.
Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari explained: “Football has a unique power to bring people together in shared moments that can become community movements.
“The heart of our new strategy is about capturing that energy and working together across the game to build those community movements to create enduring change.”
Turning Ambition into Action
The charity’s chief executive Samuel Okafor said the goals are achievable within five years if football stands united.
“Our mission is clear: to unite football to end discrimination. And when we are united, the outcomes can be long-lasting.
“United, we can make stadiums welcoming places for every supporter.”
“United, we can open doors so that players and match officials from every background are represented on the pitch.
“United, we can break down barriers into coaching and boardrooms so that clubs are more reflective of their communities.
“And united, we can challenge abuse – in stadiums, online and across the game – with courage, consistency and transparency.
“These are not distant aspirations. They are achievable goals over the next five years where governing bodies, clubs, players, fans, and like-minded organisations work in partnership.
“Unity and accountability can, and should, turn ambition into impact.”
Rising Abuse Highlights Urgency
Recent seasons have shown football’s lingering problem with racism.
In August 2025, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo was allegedly racially abused at Anfield by a Liverpool supporter. Play was halted while officials were informed. A 47-year-old man was later arrested.
In July, Salford City’s pre-season match at York was abandoned after one of Karl Robinson’s players was allegedly racially abused. Robinson removed his team from the field in the 84th minute.
These incidents demonstrate the urgent need for more consistent and forceful responses.
Kick It Out insists progress is impossible without collective action from football’s governing structures and grassroots communities.
Gary Neville, who supported the launch of Football United, said football’s response to racism has become predictable:
“I can tell you exactly what’s going to happen when there’s an incident of racism.
“There’ll be a statement from a club that says that we abhor racism, there’ll then be a paragraph that says it’s all in the hands of the police and the offender was removed. Then we won’t hear about it again for the next six months.
“I understand we talk about education and inclusion, but I also think we should start to think about consequences.”
“Should the (offender’s) employer be contacted? Should there be further punishment for the club? Should the players continue to be on the pitch?
“We have to take the conversation beyond what is the norm because I just see exactly the same response every single time. How do we disrupt that normal response?”
Neville reflected on his own career, admitting he failed to act when teammates were abused. He said he wished he had shown “the guts and the courage” to do more.
The Sky Sports pundit supported Robinson’s players for walking off in July. He suggested teams in high-profile fixtures should consider the same.
“I think walking off for five minutes, disrupting the broadcast, disrupting the normal procedures and protocol is what is needed here.”
Kick It Out’s Football United strategy blends long-term reform with immediate calls for action.
By combining stronger pathways into the game with a firmer stance against abuse, the charity hopes to reshape football’s culture.
Its leaders have made clear that unity across the sport is the only way to achieve meaningful and lasting change.
The challenge now lies in implementation.
Governing bodies, clubs, players, and supporters must translate these words into action.
If they succeed, the next five years could mark a turning point in English football, ensuring that the game truly lives up to its promise of being for everyone.
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