–Pledges to Tackle Racism in Football
MONROVIA / ZURICH – Former FIFA World Player of the Year and ex-president of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, has been appointed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to lead the newly formed FIFA Players’ Voices Panel on Racism.
In a letter addressed to Infantino and dated September 5, 2025, Weah formally accepted the high-profile role, expressing his gratitude and outlining his unwavering commitment to the cause.
“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 wrote. “I want to assure you that… we 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.”
The panel, composed of former professional players who have personally experienced racism, is tasked with developing concrete strategies to combat discrimination in football globally. Weah emphasized the panel’s unique perspective, stating, “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, who has served FIFA in various capacities including as a member of the FIFA Football Committee, pledged his “unwavering dedication” to this new challenge. He also addressed his fellow panel members directly, calling it a “proud moment” and affirming their collective goal to “kick racism out of the beautiful game, for the good of the game, and for humanity.”
The establishment of this panel marks a significant step in FIFA’s ongoing efforts to address racial abuse within the sport. The appointment of a figure of Weah’s stature—a legendary African footballer and statesman—signals the organization’s intent to prioritize this issue at the highest level.
The panel is expected to begin its work immediately, though its full membership and initial meeting dates have not yet been publicly disclosed.
George Manneh Weah is a Liberian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the only African player to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year award (1995) and the Ballon d’Or (1995). After retiring from football, he entered politics and served as the President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. He remains a global icon in the world of football.
