Labour Party Conference event puts hate in football under the spotlight
The University of Leicester and Kick It Out will join forces at this year's Labour Party Conference to examine the rise of hate and discrimination in football and what it reveals about wider divisions in society.
The event, How do we build more inclusive communities?, will bring together Professor Neil Chakraborti, Director of the University of Leicester's Centre for Hate Studies and Institute for Policy, and Samuel Okafor, Chief Executive of Kick It Out, for a live discussion on Tuesday 29 September in Liverpool.
Against a backdrop of growing concern about social cohesion, online abuse and polarisation, the session will explore how football has become a lens through which to understand broader challenges around identity, belonging and community.
The discussion follows Kick It Out's latest reporting figures, which recorded 1,744 reports of discrimination during the 2025/26 season, an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year.
Drawing on academic research and frontline experience, the speakers will examine how hate is evolving across both online and offline spaces, the impact on communities, and the practical interventions that evidence suggests can make a difference.
Professor Chakraborti said: “Football brings together people from every background, but it can also reflect the prejudices and tensions that exist within society. This conversation is about understanding what football can tell us about hate today and, crucially, what works when it comes to building stronger and more inclusive communities.”
Samuel Okafor, Chief Executive of Kick It Out, said: “Football has a unique unifying power and an ability to drive positive change and bring communities together. Across our work at Kick It Out we have seen regularly how the dial can shift when football unites on a common cause. As society becomes more polarised and divided, we believe football can play a significant role in demonstrating how we promote inclusion, champion diversity and continually challenge hate in all its forms. This conversation provides an opportunity explore how football can be a vehicle to drive out hate and create a more united society.”
Event details
The event, which is hosted by the University of Leicester Institute for Policy, takes place on Tuesday 29 September, 2pm to 2.50pm in the Albert Johstone Room, Novotel Liverpool Centre, Liverpool L1 4LN.
Visit the event website for more information and to attend.