The charity's head coach, Gary Bennett, expressed his shock and disappointment at the decision, citing the immediate disruption it would cause to their ability to teach local children in schools and provide workshops in prisons and workplaces. Bennett, a former Sunderland AFC captain and founding member of the charity, questioned the reasons behind the council's decision, stating that Show Racism the Red Card is not a political charity. The charity's work in promoting anti-racism education and tackling issues such as asylum seeker and migrant attitudes is now at risk due to the loss of vital funding.
Bennett highlighted the need for continued anti-racism efforts, citing the racist riots that took place in Sunderland and other English cities in 2024 as evidence that there is still much work to be done. The council's decision has been met with a furious backlash from opposition politicians, who have described it as "misguided, cruel and in no way backed by the people of Sunderland".
The council's move has sparked further controversy, with Reform UK being accused of "vice signalling" after its councillors in Bradford proposed to pull out of the Local Authority of Sanctuary scheme. The scheme aims to promote integration and celebrate migrant communities, but the Reform councillors argue that public services should be prioritised for local residents. The next step for Show Racism the Red Card will be to assess the impact of the council's decision and explore alternative funding options to continue their vital work.