Keypoints:
- George Weah leads FIFA racism panel
- Drogba, Formiga among 16 global icons
- Panel aims to drive action, not words
FIFA has launched a new star-studded 16-member Players’ Voice Panel to tackle racism in football, naming former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah as one of its leading figures. The panel, unveiled on Friday, also includes Ivorian great Didier Drogba and Brazilian Olympic veteran Formiga.
The group, made up of male and female players from 14 countries, will advise FIFA on anti-racism strategies, contribute to education programmes, and help shape reforms across the sport.
‘Action, not words’
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the initiative would focus on real change rather than symbolism.
‘These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change,’ Infantino said. ‘They will further push for a shift in football culture, making sure measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned, both on and off the pitch.
‘Let’s be clear on this: racism and discrimination are not simply wrong – they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished both by football and across society.’
The announcement comes after Bournemouth’s Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo was racially abused during the opening weekend of the Premier League season at Liverpool last month. Infantino had promised then that the new panel would reach out to him directly.
Weah pledges to fight racism
Weah, the only African to win the Ballon d’Or and a former Liberian president, said he was honoured to take part.
‘Football brings unity and development. It also enhances humanity,’ he said. ‘I will always exert all efforts, as I have done in the past and continue to do, to promote the sport because football is life. I am honoured to serve in this role.’
Tougher sanctions introduced
FIFA updated its disciplinary code last year, raising maximum fines for racist abuse against players, match officials or staff to 5m Swiss francs ($6.24 million). A three-step anti-discrimination procedure was also introduced: referees can request a public announcement to halt abuse, suspend the match until behaviour ceases, or in extreme cases, abandon the game.
Who is on the panel?
The Players’ Voice Panel brings together a wide range of footballing icons from across the world:
- George Weah (Liberia)
- Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)
- Mercy Akide (Nigeria)
- Ivan Cordoba (Colombia)
- Didier Drogba (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal)
- Formiga (Brazil)
- Jessica Houara (France)
- Maia Jackman (New Zealand)
- Sun Jihai (China PR)
- Blaise Matuidi (France)
- Aya Miyama (Japan)
- Lotta Schelin (Sweden)
- Briana Scurry (United States)
- Mikael Silvestre (France)
- Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina)
By bringing together voices from different continents and football cultures, FIFA hopes the panel will become a powerful driver of change against racism in the sport.
