Ivorian legend Didier Drogba and former Super Falcons striker Mercy Akide have been named among 16 former international footballers selected by FIFA to serve on its newly created Players’ Voice Panel, set up to tackle racism and discrimination in the game.
According to FIFA’s statement on Friday, Akide — a veteran of three Women’s World Cups — joins ex-internationals drawn from 14 member associations across all six FIFA confederations. She will serve alongside Liberia’s 25th president and former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah.
Other African football icons on the panel include Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) and Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal).
The global list also features Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Formiga (Brazil), Jessica Houara (France), Maia Jackman (New Zealand), Sun Jihai (China PR), Blaise Matuidi (France), Aya Miyama (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Briana Scurry (USA), Mikaël Silvestre (France) and Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).
FIFA explained that panel members will raise awareness about enhanced anti-racism measures through education, highlight the impact of abuse on players and the game, and provide practical advice on response strategies.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the experiences of the former stars would strengthen football’s global fight against racism.
“These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change,” Infantino said. “They will push for a cultural shift, ensuring measures against racism are not only talked about, but implemented, both on and off the pitch.
“Let’s be clear: racism and discrimination are not just wrong — they are crimes. All incidents, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished by both football and society.”
The Players’ Voice Panel was created under Pillar Five of FIFA’s global stand against racism, unanimously adopted at the 74th FIFA Congress last year.
Racism has remained a persistent challenge in football, with repeated incidents in some of the world’s biggest leagues.