Weah, Drogba and Adebayor land new roles at FIFA
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 08.09.25. | 18:26
The three are among a selected group of 16 other former players, both men and women, who were announced by the World football governing body, FIFA, to form the Players' Voice Panel
African football legends, former Liberia President George Weah, former Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba and his Togolese counterpart Emmanuel Adebayor are among the top names unveiled by FIFA to help in the fight against racism.
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The three are among a selected group of 16 other former players, both men and women, who were announced by the World football governing body, FIFA, to form the Players' Voice Panel.
The 16 members are all fully committed to bringing an end to racism in football and champion the stand against the vice by bringing their experience and leadership to the fight.
The panel is anchored on the fifth pillar of FIFA’s Global Stand Against Racism, as unanimously adopted by the member associations at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, in May 2024.
The 74th FIFA Congress committed to the Global Stand Against Racism, anchored on five key pillars: 1. Rules and Sanctions 2. Action on the field 3. Criminal charges 4. Education and 5. Players' Voice.
The panel, which will be headed by Weah - the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or - will serve as the honorary captain and will also have Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire) 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), Mikaël Silvestre (France) and Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino threw his weight behind the initiative and expressed confidence in the members who will be tasked with enhancing the fight against racism.
“The Players’ Voice Panel is the result of the unanimous vote by all 211 FIFA Member Associations who, through the Global Stand Against Racism, have made clear that the world is united against the scourge of racism in our game.
As part of this, and for the first time ever, we will have players at the heart of the movement required to make this change a reality
We are very fortunate to have such impassioned and prominent individuals, each of whom brings their own unique and individual experiences,” said Infantino as quoted by FIFA Media Hub.
Part of the roles of the members will be to educate various groups about racism, including those participating in FIFA youth tournaments.
The training will major on the effects of racism on players, other individuals and the game of football.
Additionally, the panel will support and offer practical advice on ways players can stand against the vice as well as create awareness on the measures approved by the FIFA Council to enhance the fight against the criminal act.
“These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change.
They will further push for a shift in football culture, making sure measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned, both on and off the pitch,” added Infantino.
The football head honcho re-emphasised that there is no room for racism in the game of football and perpetrators must face the full wrath of the law and society.
“Let’s be clear on this: Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong – they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished both by football and across society."
FIFA has also undertaken progressive action under the first pillar by updating the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), which includes an increase in the maximum fine for the vice.
The limit is now set at CHF5 million (approximately Ksh810 million), and players and officials may now assist in reporting perpetrators of the criminal and shameful act.
Under the education pillar, FIFA has been sharing educational materials with players, officials, as well as spectators and extends to children and young people.
FIFA will also launch an e-learning tool for its Member Associations later in the year.
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