Liberian football legend George Weah has described FIFA’s campaign against racism and hate speech as one of the most significant initiatives in the history of the game, urging global support for the effort.
Speaking on the FIFA Podcast, the former World Player of the Year said football must remain a platform for unity, friendship and peaceful coexistence, free from discrimination and abuse.
Weah, who serves as Honorary Captain of FIFA’s 16-member Players’ Voice Panel, said the world football governing body was making meaningful progress in tackling behaviour that continues to threaten the growth and integrity of the sport.
“To see that FIFA is making every effort to eradicate racism and fight against hate speech is the best thing to happen to the game,” Weah told the FIFA Podcast. “This is a game of unity, peace, friendship. We don’t need to hate people.”
The Players’ Voice Panel, drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds and nationalities spanning all six FIFA Confederations, has been mandated to monitor and advise on the implementation of initiatives forming part of the global stand against racism.
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Weah, the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, praised FIFA’s approach of extending the campaign beyond disciplinary action into schools and communities, where young people are taught the values of coexistence alongside the game itself.
“FIFA needs to make sure that those who don’t understand that people who love the game need to stay, live and work together are punished,” Weah said. “Those who use vocal language to bully other players need to be punished. What FIFA is doing is very good.”
The former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain striker, who later served as President of Liberia, also reflected on a personal football journey shaped by civil war, unfulfilled World Cup dreams and the pride of watching his son, Timothy Weah, represent the United States at the global showpiece.
“I come from Liberia, a small country of five million people. We experienced wars and it was during our civil crises that we pushed our national team to rebuild the image of our country through sports,” he said.
Weah recounted how Liberia twice came agonisingly close to qualifying for the World Cup — falling short by just a single point on one occasion — before crediting his wife’s dedication for helping Timothy realise the dream that eluded him.
“She will drive far distances to take him to practice,” he said. “Today, Timothy has the chance to show what he learned over the years.”
