Nigerian football legend Mercy Akide has been named among 16 former international players chosen by FIFA to serve on its new anti-racism panel.
The former Super Falcons striker, who featured in three Women’s World Cups, will work alongside football icons from across the globe, including Ivorian star Didier Drogba and Liberia’s president, George Weah.
FIFA announced the list of members in a statement on Friday, saying the players’ voice panel was created to fight racism and discrimination in football through education, awareness, and practical solutions.
Other African stars on the panel include Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo and Senegal’s Khalilou Fadiga. The global line-up also features Iván Córdoba (Colombia), Formiga (Brazil), Jessica Houara (France), Maia Jackman (New Zealand), Sun Jihai (China PR), Blaise Matuidi (France), Aya Miyama (Japan), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Briana Scurry (United States), Mikaël Silvestre (France), and Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina).
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the panel would play a key role in shaping football’s response to racism.
“These 16 panel members will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change,” Infantino said. “They will further push for a shift in football culture, making sure measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned, both on and off the pitch.
“Let’s be clear on this: Racism and discrimination are not simply wrong – they are crimes. All incidents of racism, whether in stadiums or online, must be fully punished both by football and across society.”
The players’ voice panel was set up under pillar five of FIFA’s global stand against racism, which was approved at the 74th FIFA Congress in 2024.
Racism has remained one of the biggest challenges in the game, with several high-profile incidents reported in recent seasons across top leagues in Europe and beyond.
