Published
9th Mar, 2026

Kick It Out publishes recommendations to the Football Regulator

Kick It Out is calling on the Football Regulator to take a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reshape the game.

Kick It Out is calling on the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to take a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to make football more reflective of the communities it serves.

The call comes as we publish our recommendations to ensure Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is central to the regulator's Club Code of Governance.

After years of slow progress, this is a golden chance to address the lack of representation in board, senior leadership and coaching roles in football, and to tackle discrimination through improved accountability, transparency, and engagement

In our recommendations, which are supported by 20 organisations in football and beyond, and were submitted to the IFR's consultations process in December, we also demonstrate how it can become a beacon of best practice among regulators

 

The full four-page document can be read here, which is broken down into three key areas:  

  • Stronger governance and clear board-level accountability 

  • Transparent, rigorous and annual data reporting 

  • Inclusive fan engagement structures, and modelled sharing of best practice  

 

The recommendations drew on a wide range of insights and research, including:  

  • A Kick It Out-led cross-sector roundtable in November 2025 

  • Kick It Out’s analysis of club workforce diversity data under FA Rule N 

  • Legal advice from law firm Bates Wells  

     

  • Over 30 years of tackling discrimination and promoting inclusion in football 

 

Kick It Out believes these recommendations can raise standards across the football pyramid to ensure clubs truly reflect their communities and, in turn, help the long-term sustainability of the game. We stand ready to support the IFR in delivering this vision.  

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