Former President of Liberia and football legend George Manneh Weah, Sr. has expressed heartfelt gratitude to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for appointing him to lead the newly established FIFA Players’ Voices Panel on Racism. In a letter of acceptance addressed to President Infantino on September 5, 2025, Mr. Weah described the appointment as a profound honor and pledged his unwavering commitment to advancing FIFA’s fight against racism in football.
“I want to assure you that, alongside the esteemed professionals appointed with me, we will work assiduously through the panel to find effective solutions to eliminate the ugly scourge of racism from the beautiful game, both on and off the pitch,” Weah wrote. Mr. Weah emphasized that the panel is composed of individuals who have personally experienced racism during their playing careers, giving them a unique and authentic perspective on the damaging effects of discrimination in sport. “We understand how profoundly damaging it is — not just to the sport, but to players, fans, supporters, and humanity at large,” he noted. He further underscored his long-standing dedication to FIFA, recalling his previous contributions as a member of the FIFA Football Committee.
With this new role, he reiterated his determination to serve with “unwavering dedication” to uphold the values of fairness, equality, and respect in global football. Mr. Weah also extended solidarity to his fellow panel members, describing the opportunity to serve alongside them as a “proud moment,” and expressed confidence in the panel’s collective ability to contribute meaningfully toward eradicating racism from the sport.
The FIFA Players’ Voices Panel on Racism has been tasked with advising the world football governing body on strategies to combat racial discrimination, ensuring that football remains a sport that unites rather than divides humanity. Mr. Weah concluded by reaffirming his commitment to working with FIFA and fellow panelists to “kick racism out of the beautiful game, for the good of the game, and for humanity.”
