Former Liberian President and Ballon d’Or winner, George Manneh Weah, has been appointed honorary captain of FIFA’s newly launched Players’ Voice Panel, a 16-member taskforce of football legends committed to tackling racism and discrimination across sports.
The panel, unveiled as part of FIFA’s Global Stand Against Racism initiative, brings together iconic figures like Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor, Briana Scurry and Formiga to advise on anti-racism strategies, drive education, and shape policy reforms within the football ecosystem.
Weah’s appointment is both symbolic and strategic. As a player, he broke barriers—becoming the first and only African to win the Ballon d’Or. As a statesman, he led Liberia through six years of democratic governance. Now, as captain of the Players’ Voice Panel, he brings lived experience, global influence, and a deep commitment to justice.
The panel’s mission includes monitoring and advising on anti-racism initiatives, participating in educational campaigns across all levels of the game, and advocating for cultural change and accountability both on and off the pitch.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, emphasized the urgency of the task: “Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong—they are crimes. These panel members will help ensure that measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned.”
Weah’s leadership is expected to galvanize global efforts and inspire a new generation of players and fans to stand firmly against racism in football.
Meanwhile, Weah has accepted the appointment and assured that, alongside the esteemed professionals appointed with him, they 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.
“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,” Weah said in his acceptance letter. “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.”
He emphasized that they are eager to begin this critical work. “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,” he added.
