Kick It Out - Let's Kick Racism Out of Football

Anti-racism campaigning has gone from strength to strength since the Let's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign was launched.

It would be impossible to list all the achievements made in tackling issues of racism and discrimination in the game, so here are a few key landmarks for the campaign.

1993
The Let's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign is launched by the Commission for Racial Equality and Professional Footballers Association

A "ten point plan" of measures professional football clubs should follow to challenge racism is drawn up by the campaign

1996
Jas Bains publishes 'Asians Can't Play Football' report highlighting the problems British Asian footballers face trying to break into the professional game

1997
Kick It Out is funded by the Football Association, Football Foundation, FA Premier League and Professional Footballers Association to run the campaign

1998
The government's Football Task Force release report on racism in the game
 
1999
Kick It Out become a founding member of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network
 
Michael Chopra becomes the first Asian male to play for England. He scores the winner in a 2 ­ 1 victory over Argentina at Wembley for the U16's.
 
2001
The first Kick It Out Week Of Action is held in October
 
Kick It Out invited to share good practice at the FIFA Conference Against Racism Conference in Argentina
 
2002
Kick It Out accepts 'Free your Mind' award at the MTV Europe Awards on behalf of FARE
 
2003
The first UEFA 'Unite Against Racism' Conference at Chelsea FC is held
 
The first Unity Cup Festival is held in Manchester and opened by Manchester United star, Wes Brown and PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor
 
2004
EURO 2004 used to stage anti- racism activities in partnership with UEFA
 
The campaign celebrates 10 year anniversary at the Great Eastern Hotel in London. Founding organisation the PFA host the anniversary lunch
 
2005
Blackburn Rovers become the first club to achieve the Preliminary level of the Racial Equality Standard

The National Asians in Football Forum release a report entitled 'Asians Can Play Football - a wasted decade'. 
 
Zesh Rehman becomes the first British Asian to start a Premier League game, making his full debut for Fulham against Tottenham Hotspur
 
2006
Formal Resolution calling on all stakeholders in the game to do more to challenge racism in football is adopted by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. A record, 420 MEP's sign up to the Resolution
 
Manchester City become the first club to achieve the Intermediate level of the Racial Equality Standard
 
World football's governing body, FIFA, amend sanctions on racism in football. Article 55, now stipulates tougher sanctions across the world game at all levels
 
Kick It Out plays leading role in FARE and FIFA anti- racism activities at the World Cup 2006 in Germany

2007
Week of Action relaunched as One Game, One Community Week of Action

The Week of Action is larger than ever before, with over 1000 events taking place

2008
The Football League features five Asian professionals, the highest number to date

Paul Ince becomes the first black English manager to lift a trophy