World football governing body FIFA has launched a powerful new initiative to combat racism, unveiling a 16-member Players’ Voice Panel that brings together some of the sport’s most iconic figures.
The panel, announced on Friday, includes African legends Didier Drogba and Mercy Akide, alongside ex-Ballon d’Or winner and former Liberian president George Weah, who will spearhead the campaign.
Other members include Brazil’s Formiga, France’s Blaise Matuidi and Mikael Silvestre, Sweden’s Lotta Schelin, the USA’s Briana Scurry, and stars from Asia, South America, and Oceania — making it a truly global movement.
According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the panel will advise on anti-racism strategies, support educational programmes, and influence reforms across world football.
“These members will push for a shift in football culture, making sure measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but enforced, both on and off the pitch,” Infantino declared.
Weah, the only African to win the Ballon d’Or, described his appointment as an honour, vowing to use his influence to fight racism and strengthen football’s role in uniting communities.
FIFA’s renewed crackdown comes after several high-profile racism incidents, including abuse directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo at Liverpool on the opening day of the Premier League season.
The new panel complements FIFA’s recent reforms, which raised maximum fines for racist offences to 5 million Swiss francs ($6.24m) and adopted a three-step anti-discrimination protocol, giving referees powers to suspend or abandon matches if necessary.
With football’s biggest names on board, the Players’ Voice Panel signals FIFA’s most ambitious attempt yet to eliminate racism from the game.
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