Weah Commends FIFA’s Efforts to Combat Racism and Hate Speech in Football

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Former World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, has praised FIFA’s campaign against racism and hate speech as the most important development in football.

As Honorary Captain of the newly formed 16‑panel Player’s Voice Panel, the former Liberian president told the FIFA Podcast, hosted by Mikael Silvestre, that the panel is moving in the right direction to eliminate the menace that hampers the sport’s growth.

He urged all stakeholders to join in ending the scourge.

The panel, composed of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and nationalities across all six Confederations, has been tasked with monitoring and advising on the implementation of initiatives that form part of the global stand against racism.

When asked about his earliest memories of the World Cup, Weah spoke philosophically.

“From where I come (Africa), television was the only means of watching the World Cup. Then we all began to dream of playing at the World Cup one day, or playing somewhere. That’s how I got the opportunity to go to Cameroon (Tonnerre Yaoundé) and then Monaco (France).”

The former World Footballer of the Year highlighted that the war that plagued Liberia partly prevented the country from reaching the World Cup.

“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.”

“We tried to go to the World Cup, twice it didn’t work. We tried but were just one point away. It was very good to know that we stood for our country, and we did our best. We dreamed of qualifying for the World Cup, because the World Cup is a very important event. We missed out on it. That’s life and you cannot go back,” concluded the former AC Milan forward.

Although Weah never played at the World Cup, his son, Timothy Weah, is part of Team USA for the Mundial. He described it as a blessing.

“It’s a blessing for me. I thank God and I’m grateful. When he (Timothy) was born, I was still playing. He was encouraged to go outside to play and he took it seriously.”

“My wife and I helped to make sure that we connected him to the right people that can give him the opportunity. He fought very hard. I can only thank my wife because she worked very hard to take him to practice while I was playing and didn’t have the time. She will drive far distances to take him to practice. Today, Timothy has the chance to show what he learned over the years,” observed Weah, also a former Liberia president.

Weah, as Honorary Captain of the FIFA Players’ Voice Panel—a body set up by President Gianni Infantino to help end racism and hate speech in football—described it as a lofty initiative.

“First of all, it’s a good initiative to fight, eradicate hate speech and racism. In the past, most of us experienced racism and bullying at a high level. And 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.”

“This (football) is a game of unity, peace, friendship. We don’t need to hate people. You can have or express your view, but you need to understand other people’s culture.”

He further described the initiative as the best way to end the scourge.

“What FIFA is doing is the best way. FIFA needs to make sure that those that don’t understand that people who love the game need to stay, live and work together, enjoy the game together; and not constantly write hate speeches, vocal language used to bully other players.”

“Those people need to be punished, and what FIFA is doing is very good. It is not just trying to punish those that speak to other people in a derogatory way but the fact that FIFA also goes to schools and communities and tries to make sure that the youth learn not just to play but also understand we can live together.”

“You can play for another team and can be friends. This is the most beautiful game and we need to protect the game.”