Former Liberian President and Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has been appointed by FIFA to chair a new global panel of ex-footballers that will advise on anti-racism strategies across the sport.
Ex-Liberian President George M. Weah-FIFA Ballon d’Or winner
The 16-member Players’ Voice Panel features big names including Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Briana Scurry, the U.S. goalkeeper who helped win the 1999 Women’s World Cup. FIFA described the body as both a watchdog and a think tank, tasked with guiding initiatives, monitoring progress, and promoting education “at all levels of the game.”
Weah, named honorary captain of the group, said he was honored to continue serving the sport that defined much of his life.
“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,” Weah told FIFA.
The announcement comes just days after FIFA sanctioned six federations — including reigning World Cup champion Argentina — for racist or discriminatory behavior by fans during June qualifiers.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino first promised the panel in May 2024, urging all 211 member associations to prosecute and sanction racism more effectively. The move revives efforts once championed by FIFA’s 2013 anti-racism task force, which was scrapped in 2016 under Infantino’s leadership. That earlier initiative was formed after AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the field in protest of racist abuse.
Weah, who starred for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan before entering politics, now joins a diverse lineup of players spanning continents and eras. The full panel includes, George Weah (Liberia), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Ivan Cordoba (Colombia), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) and Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal).
Others are, 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) and Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina)
With Weah at the helm, FIFA hopes the panel will amplify player voices and inject fresh urgency into the sport’s fight against racism and discrimination.
Responding to his appointment through a communication to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President Weah wrote, “Kindly accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the honour of appointing me to lead this all-important FIFA Players’ Voices Panel on Racism.”
Weah assured FIFA that he alongside the esteemed professionals appointed with him will work assiduously through the panel to find effective solutions to eliminate the ugly scourge of racism from the beautiful game, both on and off the pitch.
He added, “On behalf of the panel members, I also wish to assure you that as individuals who have personally experienced racism during our own careers, we understand how profoundly damaging it is-not just to the sport, but to players, fans, supporters, and humanity at large.”
“I have always been committed to serving FIFA in various roles, including as a member of the FIFA Football Committee, and I will continue to do so now with unwavering dedication. We are eager to begin this critical work,” Weah further assured.
He concluded, “To my fellow distinguished panelists, it is a proud moment working with all of you as together, we strive to kick racism out of the beautiful game, for the good of the game, and for humanity.”
