George Weah To Lead 16-Member Players’ Voice Panel In FIFA's Fight Against Racism

Last Updated:September 05, 2025, 23:24 IST

Weah will be joined by Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor and Briana Scurry on the 16-strong Players’ Voice Panel, the world governing body said.

Liberia President George Weah speaks during a plenary session at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File)

Former Liberian President and Ballon d’Or winner George Weah will spearhead the FIFA expert panel made up of former players in advising on the battle against racism.

Weah will be joined by Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor and Briana Scurry on the 16-strong Players’ Voice Panel, the world governing body said.

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“The panel monitors and advises on anti-racism initiatives, drives education at all levels of the game and serves as a think tank for new ideas," FIFA said in a statement.

“The player panel will offer support and practical advice on how to join them in taking a stand against what, in many countries, are criminal acts," FIFA said.

“I am honored to serve in this role," said Weah.

“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," he added.

In May last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino relaunched a coordinated global effort against racism and discrimination in football, promising high-level player input. He urged all 211 member federations to prosecute and sanction cases more efficiently.

Days after punishing six member federations, including defending champion Argentina, for racist or discriminatory abuse by spectators at men’s World Cup qualifying games in June, FIFA announced the panel.

FIFA named Weah, who achieved fame as a goal-scorer for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan, as the honorary captain of the panel.

Previously, FIFA had an anti-racism task force in 2013 that included active players such as Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure, then playing for Manchester City, and U.S. forward Jozy Altidore.

This task force was established following a notorious case of abuse directed at AC Milan player Kevin-Prince Boateng by fans. It reported to FIFA’s then-president Sepp Blatter and was disbanded by his successor Infantino in 2016.

FIFA Players’ Voice Panel:

George Weah (Liberia), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal), Formiga (Brazil), Jessica Houara (France), Maia Jackman (New Zealand), Sun Jihai (China), Blaise Matuidi (France), Aya Miyama (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Briana Scurry (United States), Mikaël Silvestre (France), Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).

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