11.12.2018 17:56 h

Ouseley quits as head of anti-racism group

Herman Ouseley is set to step down as chairman of anti-racism group Kick It Out at the end of this season.

The 73-year-old former chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, founded the organisation in 1993 to battle discrimination in sport.

But speaking in August on the 25th anniversary of the organisation's founding, Ouseley admitted removing racism from football is a task which would never be completed.

Ouseley's announcement that he is leaving comes just days after racism blighted a Premier League match.

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling was abused by a Chelsea fan during his side's Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Ouseley has responded to that incident by challenging football's leaders to do all they can to make lasting changes in the fight against racism.

"Now is the right time for new leadership of Kick It Out as I re-focus my life for new challenges after 56 years of public service," he said.

"I have thrown challenges at the leaders in football and they need to show their hands.

"They need to show they are capable of bringing about lasting change if they all come together out of their silos and take a dynamic and coherent approach to meeting the equality challenges."