FIFA has chosen 16 former international football players to serve on its newly formed players’ voice panel, which aims to address racism and prejudice in the sport. Among them are Ivorian icon Didier Drogba and former Super Falcons striker Mercy Akide.
Akide, a three-time Women’s World Cup veteran, was selected among former international players from 14 member associations in all six FIFA confederations, the organisation said in a statement posted on its social media platforms on Friday.
The 50-year-old will join Liberia’s president and former Ballon d’Or winner, George Weah, on the panel, according to the release.
Senegal’s Khalilou Fadiga and Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor are two other African football legends on the list.
Among the other members of the global panel are Iván Córdoba from Colombia, Formiga from Brazil, Jessica Houara from France, Maia Jackman from New Zealand, Sun Jihai from China PR, Blaise Matuidi from France, Aya Miyama from Japan, Lotta Schelin from Sweden, Briana Scurry from the United States, Mikaël Silvestre from France, and Juan Pablo Sorín from Argentina.
FIFA claims that the panellists will emphasise the impact of abuse on players and football in general, draw attention to improved anti-racism educational initiatives in their areas, and offer helpful guidance on response tactics.
Gianni Infantino, head of FIFA, claimed that the former athletes’ personal stories would help the global anti-racism movement.
He declared, “These 16 panellists will encourage new ideas for long-lasting change and support education at all levels of the game.”
They will continue to advocate for a change in football culture, ensuring that anti-racism initiatives are implemented both on and off the pitch.
To be clear, racism and prejudice are crimes rather than just being wrong. Football and society at large must fully punish any instances of racism, whether they occur in stadiums or online.
The 74th FIFA Congress last year unanimously supported FIFA’s global fight against racism, which includes the establishment of the players’ voice panel under pillar five.
With recent occurrences documented in some of the largest leagues in the world, racism in football has continued to be a problem.
