FIFA has launched a 16-member Players' Voice Panel to combat racism in football, with former Ballon d'Or winner and Liberian president George Weah at the helm. The panel comprises a diverse group of former players from 14 countries, including prominent figures like Didier Drogba and Brazilian Olympic medalist Formiga.

The Players' Voice Panel will advise on anti-racism strategies, participate in educational programs, and contribute to reforms across all levels of football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the panel's role is to promote new ideas for lasting change and ensure that measures against racism are implemented both on and off the field. Infantino stated that racism and discrimination are not only wrong but also constitute crimes, stressing that all incidents, whether in stadiums or online, must be punished severely by both football authorities and society.

Weah, who served as Liberia's president for six years, expressed his commitment to promoting football as a unifying force. He stated that he is honored to serve in this role and will exert all efforts to promote the sport, as football is life.

Other notable members of the panel include Emmanuel Adebayor, Mercy Akide, Ivan Cordoba, Khalilou Fadiga, Jessica Houara, Maia Jackman, Sun Jihai, Blaise Matuidi, Aya Miyama, Lotta Schelin, Briana Scurry, Mikael Silvestre, and Juan Pablo Sorin.

FIFA's commitment to combating racism also includes updating its disciplinary code to impose increased fines for racist abuse against players, match officials, or team staff, with a maximum fine of 5,000,000 Swiss francs ($6.24 million). Additionally, a three-step anti-discrimination procedure has been adopted, which involves the referee requesting a public announcement to stop the behavior, suspending the match until it ceases, and, in some cases, abandoning the match altogether.

FIFA's initiative follows instances of racist or discriminatory abuse by spectators at men's World Cup qualifying games in June, which led to punishments for six member federations, including defending champion Argentina. The Players' Voice Panel aims to offer support and practical advice on how to combat what are considered criminal acts in many countries.

FIFA previously had an anti-racism task force in 2013, which included active players. This task force was created following a case of abuse directed at AC Milan player Kevin-Prince Boateng.