Drogba, Akide join FIFA’s global anti-racism squad

African football legends Didier Drogba and Mercy Akide have been named in FIFA’s new 16-member anti-racism panel, tasked with tackling discrimination in the game.

Akide, a Super Falcons icon and veteran of three Women’s World Cups, will serve on the panel alongside Liberia’s president and ex-Ballon d’Or winner, George Weah. Former Togo star Emmanuel Adebayor and Senegalese midfielder Khalilou Fadiga also made the list.

The global panel, announced Friday, cuts across all six FIFA confederations. It includes Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Formiga (Brazil), Jessica Houara (France), Maia Jackman (New Zealand), Sun Jihai (China), Blaise Matuidi (France), Aya Miyama (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Briana Scurry (USA), Mikaël Silvestre (France) and Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).

According to FIFA, the group will drive education against racism, highlight the devastating impact of abuse on players, and recommend concrete strategies for change.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the members’ personal experiences make them powerful voices in the fight.

“These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change. Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong, they are crimes,” Infantino declared.

The players’ voice panel was created under pillar five of FIFA’s global anti-racism initiative, unanimously adopted at the 74th FIFA Congress.

With racism still staining stadiums and social media feeds worldwide, FIFA says this panel will not just talk change but push for action both on and off the pitch.