Kick It Out confirm review into why 10 members of staff left amid allegation of poor working conditions

Anti-discrimination charity says none of it’s staff have complained about bullying amid allegations made about the working culture

Kick It Out are investigating allegations of poor working conditions at the charity (Getty)

Football’s anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has confirmed it is reviewing why 10 members of its staff have left the organisation over the last three years.

Based in London and funded by the Football Association, Football League, Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association, Kick It Out currently has 17 employees.

But, according to a report in the Daily Mail on Tuesday, there has been a significant turnover of staff because of a poor working environment at the charity.

Quoting unnamed sources, the newspaper claims junior staff have been poorly managed and verbally abused, causing some to struggle with mental-health issues, but there have been no formal complaints of bullying.

In a statement, a Kick It Out spokesman said: “In the three years from the beginning of 2016, 10 people have left Kick It Out – three in 2016, four in 2017 and three in 2018.

“None of those who opted for an exit interview raised any issues about bullying – though of course we take all such matters extremely seriously – and the information provided by these former members of staff is being reviewed by the trustees of the charity, along with the organisation’s human resources policies.”

The allegations come just a week after Lord Ouseley, Kick It Out’s founder, announced he was standing down as chairman after 25 years of leading the fight against racism in football.

In his statement last week, the 73-year-old said: “Kick It Out is well positioned with excellent staff to keep the momentum of activity afloat in helping football to be a powerhouse for equality, inclusion and diversity.”

Lord Ouseley is leaving Kick It Out after 25 years (Getty)

The charity is currently being run by programmes manager Keeley Baptista while chief executive Roisin Wood recovers from illness. Wood, who received an OBE for tackling discrimination in football, is expected to return to work next month.

PA