Photo File: The Anti Racism Panel set up by FIFA

In a landmark move aimed at tackling racism and promoting inclusivity in global football, FIFA has unveiled a star-studded 16-member Players’ Voice Panel, with African legends Didier Drogba and Nigeria’s own Mercy Akide among those selected to lead the charge. The announcement, made on Friday, has been hailed across the continent as a major step forward in the fight against discrimination within the sport.

Mercy Akide, a pioneer of Nigerian women’s football and one of the most respected figures in the history of the Super Falcons, joins Drogba—Ivory Coast’s all-time great—and Liberia’s George Weah, the only African to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or and a former president of his country. Weah will serve as the panel’s lead figure, bringing decades of experience both on and off the pitch.

The Players’ Voice Panel, which includes representatives from 14 countries across five continents, has been tasked with advising FIFA on anti-racism strategies, participating in educational outreach, and contributing to reforms that will reshape football’s culture. Other notable members include Brazilian Olympic icon Formiga, France’s Blaise Matuidi and Mikael Silvestre, Japan’s Aya Miyama, and American goalkeeper Briana Scurry.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a statement released via the organisation’s official social media channels, stressed the urgency of the initiative. “Let’s be clear on this: racism and discrimination are not simply wrong – they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished both by football and across society,” he said. Infantino added that the panel will not only support education at all levels of the game but will also push for lasting cultural change, ensuring that anti-racism measures are implemented with real impact.

The formation of the panel comes in the wake of several high-profile incidents of racial abuse in football, including the recent case involving Bournemouth’s Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo, who was targeted during a Premier League fixture at Anfield. Infantino confirmed that the Players’ Voice Panel would reach out to Semenyo directly, underscoring FIFA’s commitment to supporting affected players.

George Weah, speaking on his appointment, said, “Football brings unity and development. It also enhances humanity. I will always exert all efforts, as I have done in the past and continue to do, to promote the sport because football is life. I am honoured to serve in this role.”

FIFA has also updated its disciplinary code to reflect a tougher stance on racism, with fines for offenders now reaching up to 5 million Swiss francs (approximately ₦6.2 billion). Additionally, a three-step anti-discrimination protocol has been adopted, empowering referees to halt matches, make public announcements, and abandon games entirely if racist behaviour persists.

For Nigeria, Mercy Akide’s inclusion is a moment of pride and a powerful statement of representation. As one of the earliest Nigerian women to play professional football abroad, Akide has long been a symbol of resilience and excellence. Her voice on the panel is expected to amplify the concerns of African players and ensure that the continent’s unique challenges are addressed in FIFA’s global reforms.

The full list of panel members includes: George Weah (Liberia), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Ivan Cordoba (Colombia), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal), 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), Mikael Silvestre (France), and Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina).

As the football world watches closely, this panel is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive future for the sport—one where every player, regardless of race or background, can thrive without fear of discrimination.