Kick It Out statement on England manager Gareth Southgate's comments

Friday 23 Mar 2018
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Following Gareth Southgate’s comments to the media on the need for English football to get its ‘own house in order’ regarding racism, Kick It Out has released a statement.

The statement reads: “Kick It Out welcomes the England manager’s comments and is pleased that Gareth Southgate is using his position to encourage discussion about the need to tackle racism in English football. It is not only at international level that discriminatory abuse is occurring, but across the entirety of football and more leaders should follow Southgate’s example of speaking up and changing football’s culture on and off the field of play.

“Kick It Out is delighted that an educational workshop delivered by Troy Townsend, the organisation’s Education Manager, in which he provided evidence of the appalling racist abuse received by England’s Under-16 team on social media, was able to have an impact on coaches across the national team set-up. It is only by exposing people to the harmful effects of all forms of discrimination and exclusion that we are able to make progress.

“Discrimination must always be challenged, so it is appropriate that concerns have been raised across football about the potential dangers faced by BAME and LGBT supporters and players at the World Cup in Russia this summer, who must be protected from discriminatory abuse.

“However, the England manager is also correct to emphasise that there is still significant work to be done in this country to eliminate racism from football and wider society, and problems at an international level should not provide a smokescreen for the issues that must be addressed closer to home.

“Kick It Out was set up nearly 25 years ago to tackle racism and is encouraged by Southgate’s willingness to highlight the problem – the organisation hopes that he will continue to use his influence to challenge issues of discrimination in this country.

“More importantly, Kick It Out hopes others at the top of the game will follow suit to take the robust action required to achieve sustainable equality, inclusion and cohesion in English football.”

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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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