Football icons George Weah and Didier Drogba have been named among 16 former players appointed to a new FIFA panel designed to strengthen the fight against racism in the game.
The creation of the players’ voice panel was first announced at FIFA’s annual congress in Thailand in May 2024. The body, made up of ex-internationals from 14 countries, will advise on anti-racism strategies, contribute to reforms, and support educational programmes across football.
Former AC Milan striker and ex-Liberian president George Weah has been named honorary captain of the panel.
“Football brings unity and development. It enhances humanity,” Weah said. “I will always exert all efforts, as I have done in the past, to promote the sport because football is life. I am honoured to serve in this role.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the panel will play a crucial role in driving cultural change within the sport.
“They will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change,” Infantino explained. “Let’s be clear: racism and discrimination are not simply wrong — they are crimes. All incidents, whether in stadiums or online, must be punished by football and by society.”
The panel features celebrated names from men’s and women’s football, including Nigeria’s Mercy Akide, Brazil’s Formiga, France’s Blaise Matuidi, Japan’s Aya Miyama, and U.S. World Cup winner Briana Scurry.
Full list of FIFA players’ voice anti-racism panel members:
- George Weah (Liberia) – honorary captain
- Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
- Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)
- Mercy Akide (Nigeria)
- Ivan Cordoba (Colombia)
- 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)
The group is expected to begin its work immediately, focusing on practical measures to eliminate racism and discrimination from football at every level.
