Liberia’s former President and ex-World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, has expressed gratitude to FIFA for appointing him as chair of the newly inaugurated Players’ Voices Panel on Racism.
In a letter posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, dated September 5, 2025, and addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Weah described the appointment as “an honour” and pledged that the panel would work tirelessly to “find effective solutions to eliminate the ugly scourge of racism from the beautiful game, both on and off the pitch.”
Weah, who starred for AC Milan, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain during his playing career, stressed that the panel’s members were uniquely positioned to contribute because they had all endured racism first-hand.
“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,” wrote the 1995 Ballon d’Or winner.
He reaffirmed his dedication to serving FIFA, recalling his previous role on the FIFA Football Committee. “We are eager to begin this critical work,” he said, while praising his fellow panellists: “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.”
FIFA announced the creation of the 16-member panel on Friday, bringing together global icons to lead its fight against racism.
Ireport247news reported that the panel includes Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Ronaldo de Lima (Brazil), Clarence Seedorf (Netherlands), and Eniola Aluko (England), among others.
According to FIFA, the Players’ Voices Panel on Racism was formed as part of its broader reforms to tackle discrimination and abuse, which persist despite years of global campaigns.
The panel is tasked with advising FIFA on policy, raising awareness, and recommending concrete measures to combat racism across the sport.
Infantino has consistently called for tougher sanctions, insisting that football must remain a “symbol of unity and inclusion.”
The new body is expected to set the tone for a more forceful global response to racism, following criticism that FIFA’s earlier Say No to Racism campaign was largely symbolic.
While it raised visibility through slogans and banners, critics said enforcement was weak, with clubs and federations facing fines too small to deter future offences.
UEFA, for example, was widely condemned in 2019 when the Bulgarian Football Union was fined just €75,000 after racist chants against England players.
With Weah at the helm, FIFA hopes its new panel will move beyond symbolism to real action in football’s fight against racism.