“Football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.” Samuel Okafor, chief executive of @kickitoutofficial.bsky.social and a former professional footballer, tells Kitty Melrose about discrimination in English football and why the game faces a crucial moment for change.
Goals for the game
Discrimination in English football has reached record levels, from grassroots to the professional game. At the same there is rising concern about the tone of debate around immigration and identity within the sport, fuelled earlier this year by contentious comments from Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. Samuel Okafor, chief executive of anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out and a former professional footballer, tells journalist Kitty Melrose about the scale of the problem, potential reforms and why the game faces a crucial moment for change.
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