FIFA Appoints Anti-Racism Panel Including Football Legends
Football legends George Weah and Didier Drogba are among the prominent figures appointed to a new FIFA panel of 16 former players aimed at enhancing efforts to combat racism in the sport.
The global governing body of football announced the establishment of this players' voice panel during its annual congress in Thailand in May 2024.
Weah, a former striker for AC Milan, and Drogba, the ex-Chelsea forward, are part of a diverse group that includes both male and female players from 14 different countries.
This panel will provide guidance on anti-racism strategies, engage in educational initiatives, and contribute to reforms within football.
Weah, who has been appointed as the panel's 'honorary captain,' stated, "Football fosters unity and development while enhancing our humanity. I am committed to promoting the sport, as I have in the past, because football is life. I am honored to serve in this capacity."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino remarked that the panel members will "support education at all levels of the game" and "promote new ideas for lasting change."
Infantino emphasized, "They will further advocate for a cultural shift in football, ensuring that measures to combat racism are not merely discussed but implemented, both on and off the pitch. Let's be clear: racism and discrimination are not just wrong; they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be addressed and punished by both football and society at large."