George Weah leads FIFA’s anti-racism Players’ Voice Panel at first meeting in Morocco

Footballing legend George Weah has delivered a powerful call to action against racism in football, describing it as a “disease” that must be eradicated from the game.

Speaking in Rabat, Morocco, at the first in-person gathering of FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel (PVP), the former Liberia international and ex-president of the Republic of Liberia urged players and fans alike to “forget about calling each other names and embrace each other.”

“What I came here to do is for the world to know there is no need for racism,” said Weah. “We must enjoy the beautiful game, walk together in the stadium, sing together. When we are defeated, we try again. Racism is a disease. We cannot continue to condone racism in public spaces – most especially on the field, where everybody is supposed to be working together.”

Weah, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 and remains Africa’s only recipient of the award, now serves as honorary ‘captain’ of the 16-member Players’ Voice Panel, part of FIFA’s Global Stand Against Racism initiative. The panel brings together former internationals from across all six confederations to advise, educate, and support anti-racism reforms in football.

Weah said his position was deeply personal. “I experienced racism during my career. I know how it feels. That’s why my voice is important — because I’ve lived it. We cannot allow this to continue for future generations,” he said.

While FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in attendance – delivering the closing remarks and pledging that “the time for talking is over, now we must act” – the meeting was largely driven by Weah and his colleagues, who emphasised action over rhetoric.

Infantino, whose recent public gestures have drawn criticism – including the announcement that U.S. President Donald Trump will be awarded the first FIFA peace prize at the World Cup draw in DC – has positioned FIFA’s anti-racism campaign as a priority, despite having disbanded the last FIFA anti-racism committee in 2015 saying there was no requirement for it.

Other members of the new FIFA panel present in Rabat included Iván Córdoba, Khalilou Fadiga, Lotta Schelin, Mikaël Silvestre, and Mercy Akide, with the sessions reportedly focused on youth education, confederation engagement, and anti-discrimination best practices shared by the English FA, Germany’s DFB, and the Fare Network.

For Weah, the message remains simple and universal. “Football is about peace, love and fun. It unites people — and racism divides. We all have a duty to make sure it disappears from our game for good,” he said.