Football legend and former Liberian president George Weah has called for a united global effort to eliminate racism from the sport, emphasizing that football’s true spirit lies in unity and respect. Speaking at the FIFA Players’ Voice Panel (PVP) in Rabat, Morocco, Weah reflected on his experiences as a player who faced both admiration and discrimination during his career. “Some come with love, some with hate. Some are racist, some are not,” Weah said. “But at the end of the day, what’s important is to take away the negative part of sports bullying players or pitting fans against each other. The essence of the game is to unite, to enjoy, to have fun, and to love the game.”
The two-day session in Morocco brought together 16 football legends, both male and female, as part of FIFA’s Global Stand Against Racism, launched in 2023. The panel advises FIFA on how to strengthen anti-racism policies and promote inclusion across all levels of the sport. Weah, Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner and a global ambassador for peace and youth empowerment, urged FIFA to expand the initiative to include more former players who can use their influence to drive change.
“After this meeting, I’ll propose to President Gianni Infantino to bring more people on board,” Weah said. “Those who have experienced racism are still out there in the game we need to bring them in. We want one united voice that can make a real difference.” Other football icons who took part in the panel include Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Mercy Akide, all of whom echoed calls for stronger collective action against discrimination. The FIFA Players’ Voice Panel is part of ongoing efforts to combat racism following high-profile incidents in European and international football. Its mission is to turn advocacy into tangible policies, campaigns, and education programs to promote equality and respect on and off the pitch.
