Herman Ouseley, the founder of Kick it Out and a prominent anti-racist campaigner, has passed away at the age of 79 after a brief illness. Ouseley dedicated much of his life to combating racism and discrimination in football, serving as the chair of Kick it Out for 25 years. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 2001 as an independent peer. Ouseley’s vision to create Kick it Out was a pivotal moment in addressing discrimination in football and his legacy will continue to impact future generations.
Ouseley’s contributions extended beyond football, as he also served as the chair and chief executive of the Commission for Racial Equality and as chief executive of the London Borough of Lambeth. Knighted in 1997 for his services to local government and community relations, Ouseley received numerous honorary degrees from universities in the UK for his work in education, anti-racism, and local government.
Tributes poured in for Ouseley, with former footballer Troy Townsend expressing his gratitude for Ouseley’s contributions to football and society. The Race Council Cymru hailed Ouseley as a remarkable and great Black leader in the field of race equity, honoring him with an ICON award in 2018. Ouseley’s passing is mourned by many in the community, with condolences extended to his family and friends. Lord Herman Ouseley will be remembered as a champion for equality and an inspiration to many.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com