FA chairman pays tribute to Kick It Out

Monday 28 Oct 2013
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The Football Association (FA) chairman Greg Dyke has paid tribute to Kick It Out on its 20-year quest to stamp racism out of football.

Speaking at the FA’s glittering 150th anniversary gala in London, Dyke echoed the comments of FIFA president Sepp Blatter on the need to continue working hard to combat discriminative behaviour in the game.

Kick It Out is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and Dyke has promised that continual improvements will be implemented to get everyone involved in the game at all levels.

“Another notable anniversary this year is that it is the 20th year of the kick racism out of football campaign – congratulations to Kick It Out and to the outstanding work it has done,” he said.

“It has achieved real success but we all know there’s more to be done and the FA must not stop here.

“Of course things will change, nothing stays the same. But where they do it must be for the better.”

Dyke also praised the global impact of the Premier League and while vowing to extend the FA’s support of football at grassroots level, he also congratulated the Football League on their 125th anniversary.

“We must never underestimate the part the Premier League plays in promoting English football at home and particularly abroad,” he added.

“It is England’s biggest sporting export. We should also recognise the fantastic tradition of the Football League’s 72 clubs. Many happy returns to the League on its own 125th birthday this year.

“There has been a huge historical focus this year, and rightly so. We should be proud of what our founders created and what The FA has continued in their name. But we should also be proud of what we are currently doing.

“Our consistent theme across the year has been to celebrate The FA’s support for the grassroots game which has always been fundamental to The FA’s role in football.

“At every turn, we have highlighted the work done right across the country by 400,000 volunteers and also highlighted what is being achieved with the £100m we put back into the game every year.

“We are all privileged to spend our days involved in football, to wake up in the morning and go to bed at night with football in our lives.

“We sincerely owe a debt of thanks to Ebenezer Morley and his contemporaries for the work they did 150 years ago.

“But with that involvement comes responsibility, responsibility for ensuring that football continues in good health, responsibility for ensuring it continues to thrive.

“Here in England The FA’s task is to ensure as many people as possible can get involved in the game.

“Women’s football is a huge part of The FA’s future, the disability game is a fundamental part of our ‘football for everyone’ philosophy and we have to work harder as a Football Association and as a nation to ensure there are facilities and places for people to just go out and play.”

From Skysports

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"We have a responsibility as players to give something back and I’m really thankful to be part of this organisation because we can do a lot of good."
Jack Butland, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“A big part of my involvement with Kick It Out stems from my strong admiration for the organisation’s commitment to fairness and equality.”
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
“It was Kick It Out that convinced the people in football that change was possible.”
Greg Dyke, former FA chairman
“I wanted to thank the campaigners at Kick It Out for their work. I know first-hand how Kick It Out can help.”
Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder
“It is important for me in my role as a Kick It Out ‘Next 20’ ambassador to teach young people how to handle discrimination and treat people with respect.”
Romelu Lukaku, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“It is a massive honour for me to be an ambassador for such a great organisation. I think they do great work on and off the field.”
Toni Duggan, 'Next 20' Ambassador
"It really helped me to see that other professional sports people were acknowledging their sexuality. I read about John Amaechi, Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley. They weren't footballers but the fact that they went public gave me the feeling that I was not alone."
Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Aston Villa midfielder
"There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer."
Sadio Mané, Liverpool winger
“I think it’s important to share success stories and realise that there are women operating in the game. If it’s something you want to do, you can do it.”
Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
"I've had loads of negative comments from men, especially growing up. It's just boring and old. Times have changed, and they continue to change. Women play football, and they're good at it, and have been for a number of years.”
Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
"Despite the progress, stereotypes still exist in football and until that is broken down it will be extremely difficult for a woman to manage a top level men's team."
Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
"There’s no hiding that there is sexism in sport. We have a lack of women right across all levels of management, playing and coaching. It shows the closed nature of sport in general and this includes the media. It’s an indictment of sport as a whole."
Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
“I’m proud to be a supporter of Kick It Out and particularly the work they are doing to combat antisemitism within football.”
Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
"With Kick It Out leading the way football is standing up and fighting against those who preach hatred and intolerance and we at Chelsea are proud to support their work."
Bruce Buck, Chelsea Football Club Chairman

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