Kick It Out (organisation)

Last updated

Kick It Out
Founded1993
Location
  • England, United Kingdom
Key people
 Lord Ouseley
Website kickitout.org

Kick It Out was established as a campaign with the brand name 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football' in 1993 and as an organisation in 1997. The organisation works within the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change.

Contents

The campaign is supported and funded by the game's governing bodies, including founding body the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), the Premier League and the Football Association (FA).

Internationally, Kick It Out plays a leading role in the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network and has been cited as an example of good practice by the European governing body UEFA, the world governing body FIFA, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, European parliamentarians and the British Council. [1]

Former footballer Paul Elliott left his role at Kick It Out on 23 February 2013, following a reported text conversation in which "discriminatory abusive comments" were made to fellow former footballer Richard Rufus. [2] [3]

Campaigns

West Ham United player Mohamed Diame wearing a Kick It Out t-shirt before a game Mohamed Diame - Kick It Out.jpg
West Ham United player Mohamed Diamé wearing a Kick It Out t-shirt before a game

Kick It Out provides a facility for football lovers to report incidents of abuse, both via its website, and through a mobile phone app. It also works closely with other organisations to raise awareness of the impact of social media upon football-related hate crime and positively influence users. Many of Kick It Out's campaigns focus upon actions to promote equality, diversity, understanding and tolerance through community action throughout football, from grassroots to professional level. Kick it Out enjoys a mutually supportive relationship with the Football Supporters' Federation.

In April 2019, The Times manifesto to challenge racism and advocate greater diversity in the sport was compiled under the guidance of Kick It Out and other organisations. [4] [ non-primary source needed ] The manifesto was signed by Raheem Sterling, Andy Cole, Eni Aluko, and Sadiq Khan, among others. [5] [ non-primary source needed ]

Following the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom with black men and women were nearly twice as likely to die with COVID-19 as white people, Kick It Out's head of development, Troy Townsend, voiced his concerns regarding the restart of the Premier League following its suspension due to the outbreak of the virus. At the time black players represented over a quarter of all players in the league. [6]

Education and Training

Millwall Lionesses players promoting Kick It out before a FA WSL match London Bees v Millwall Lionesses, 15 April 2017 (068).jpg
Millwall Lionesses players promoting Kick It out before a FA WSL match

Kick It Out continues to lead and co-ordinate equality and diversity training for professional footballers at all levels. It also provides support in the form of mentoring for young people who aspire to careers in the football industry through its annual Raise Your Game conferences as, well as working closely to promote equality and diversity within the amateur game.

In 2015, Kick It Out entered into a partnership with Southampton Solent University [7] to provide the Equality and Diversity in Football Award . [8] This course of study aims to develop participants' understanding of the issues which impact on the promotion of equality and the development of diversity in football, as well as providing an opportunity to identify and enhance the personal qualities and skills that are essential to effective leadership.

Criticism

Kick It Out has come under criticism from ethnic minorities in the industry for not having a big enough effect on the punishment of players and fans convicted of racist abuse. In 2007, Everton player Joleon Lescott refused to wear the Kick It Out T-shirt before games after Newcastle United's Emre Belözoğlu escaped punishment for alleged racial abuse against Everton player Joseph Yobo. [9] Lescott and teammate Tim Howard had given written evidence to the FA inquiry. [10]

In the autumn of 2012, at the end of a footballing week marred by racial abuse and violence in an international under-21 fixture between England and Serbia, the campaign organised for Premier League players to wear shirts bearing the organisation's logo before their matches. However, the directive was boycotted by several black players, including Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, [11] Reading's Jason Roberts, [12] [13] and Manchester City's Micah Richards [13] in protest against the lack of action by the organisation in the wake of high-profile cases of footballers racially abusing their opponents during matches. Lescott also reiterated his stance. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Football Association</span> Governing body of association football in England

The Football Association is the governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game in its territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southampton F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Southampton Football Club is an English professional football club based in Southampton, Hampshire, that competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. Its home ground since 2001 has been St Mary's Stadium, before which it was based at The Dell. The team play in red and white shirts. They have been nicknamed "The Saints" because of the club's beginnings as a church football team at St Mary's Church. Southampton shares a long-standing South Coast derby rivalry with Portsmouth, in part due to geographic proximity and both cities' respective maritime histories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Cantona</span> French actor and association football player

Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor, singer and former professional footballer. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emre Belözoğlu</span> Turkish former professional footballer and manager

Emre Belözoğlu is a Turkish professional football manager and former player who is currently serving as the manager of Ankaragücü. During his playing career, he played as a midfielder, usually in a playmaker role.

Trevor Lloyd Sinclair is an English football coach, former professional footballer and pundit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anton Ferdinand</span> English association football player

Anton Julian Ferdinand is an English former footballer who most recently played for St Mirren as a centre back. He was a product of the West Ham United academy and has also played for their senior team, Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland, Bursaspor, Antalyaspor and Reading. He has also played for England at under-21 level. Ferdinand retired from professional football in July 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malky Mackay</span> Scottish footballer and manager

Malcolm George Mackay is a Scottish professional football coach and former player, who most recently managed Scottish Premiership club Ross County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joleon Lescott</span> English association football player (born 1982)

Joleon Patrick Lescott is an English former professional footballer, coach and sports pundit. He currently works as a coach with the England U21s.

Paul Marcellus Elliott is an English former footballer who played as a defender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herman Ouseley, Baron Ouseley</span> British politician (born 1945)

Herman George Ouseley, Baron Ouseley Kt is a British parliamentarian, who has run public authorities, including local councils and is an adviser and reviewer of public services organisations. Lord Ouseley has expertise in equality and diversity issues and is the Chairperson of several charitable organisations as well as being a Patron for dozens of organisations. He has been at the forefront of challenging institutional racism in organisations and is an advocate on behalf of individuals from disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds.

Racism in association football is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team, but there have also been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans. The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media as well as academic studies. There have been a range of responses by various associations, such as FIFA and UEFA, as well as by teams, and individual players and managers to address the problem.

Homophobia has been widespread in men's association football, also known as soccer, throughout the world.

British Asians in association football include British citizens with heritage or joint-nationality of any Asian country; there is a long history of British Asian football players in England particularly, dating back to the Victorian era, albeit in low numbers. In modern times the proportionately low number of British Asians in association football has received significant media attention, and has seen some clubs announce plans to explicitly target young British Asian players. Prominent British Asian players have included Frank Soo, Neil Taylor, Zesh Rehman, Jimmy Carter and Michael Chopra.

This page chronicles the history of English football team Manchester City Football Club in further detail from 2001 to the present day. See History of Manchester City F.C. for a history overview of Manchester City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Rüdiger</span> German footballer (born 1993)

Antonio Rüdiger is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Germany national team. Considered one of the best defenders in the world, he is known for his aggressive playing style, tackling ability and strong aerial presence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Leko</span> English footballer (born 1999)

Jonathan Kisolokele Leko is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for League One club Burton Albion, on loan from EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harvey Elliott</span> English footballer (born 2003)

Harvey Daniel James Elliott is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for Premier League club Liverpool.

The Football Supporters' Association is the national, democratic, representative body for football supporters in England and Wales. They are the leading advocates for supporter ownership, better fan engagement, cheaper ticket prices, the choice to stand at the match, protecting fan rights, good governance, diversity, and all types of supporter empowerment across both the men's and women's game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taking the knee</span> Symbolic gesture protesting racism

Taking the knee is a symbolic gesture against racism whereby an individual kneels upon one knee in place of standing to attention for an anthem or other such occasion. It was originated by American football player Colin Kaepernick on September 1, 2016, in protest against the lack of attention given to the issues of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States. Kaepernick's protest led to a wider series of national anthem protests. It has since been adopted by sports players in countries around the world, including association football in the United Kingdom, in solidarity with Kaepernick's protest against racism, and has been seen worldwide in non-sporting contexts such as the Black Lives Matter protests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester United F.C. 1–6 Manchester City F.C.</span> Football match

In the 2011–12 Premier League season, the first game between Manchester United and Manchester City took place at Old Trafford, Manchester, on 23 October 2011. The fixture was both teams' ninth game of the season. City won the match 6–1, their biggest ever win in the Manchester derby, and their biggest win at Old Trafford since they won 5–0 in 1955. This was the first time in the clubs' history the first and second place faced off in the Manchester derby.

References

  1. ↑ "About Kick It Out". Kickitout.org. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  2. ↑ "Statement: Paul Elliott". The Football Association. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Paul Elliott: FA accepts resignation after racism row". BBC. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  4. ↑ Ziegler, Martin (23 April 2019). "Time to take action: players and managers back Times manifesto to fight racism". The Times. Retrieved 12 November 2020.(subscription required)
  5. ↑ "The Times manifesto in full: changes needed throughout football to fight racism". The Times. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2020.(subscription required)
  6. ↑ McGrath, Mike (12 May 2020). "Premier League captains seek assurances for BAME players over fears for their safety in 'Project Restart'". The Telegraph.
  7. ↑ "Southampton Solent University". solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Solent University team up with Kick It Out to offer equality awareness course". solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  9. ↑ Mokbel, Sami; Sale, Charles. "Premier League stars to boycott t-shirts". Independent Online (South Africa). Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  10. ↑ Hyde, Marina (30 August 2007). "Hypocrisy needs a kick it out campaign". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "Sir Alex Ferguson to 'deal with' Rio Ferdinand over Kick It Out protest". BBC. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  12. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (18 October 2012). "Jason Roberts set to snub Kick It Out anti-racism campaign". BBC. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Jason Roberts continues Kick It Out T-shirt stance". BBC Sport. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  14. ↑ "Kick It Out rebels: Premier League players who snubbed T-shirts". The Guardian. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.