Sports
Kurt Okraku chairs inaugural FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee meeting in Doha
President of the Football Association and 2nd Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has chaired the maiden meeting of FIFA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee in Doha.
The high-level meeting, held on December 16, 2025, brought together leading football administrators across the world.
As Chair of the 22-member committee, President Simeon-Okraku delivered the keynote address at the plenary session, outlining the vision, priorities and strategic direction of the body.
The FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee is one of FIFA’s most influential governance structures, mandated to advise on policy, propose reforms and support the implementation of robust anti-racism strategies across world football. The committee will serve a four-year term and is tasked with preventing, investigating and addressing incidents of racism and discrimination across FIFA’s member associations, clubs and competitions.
Under President Simeon-Okraku’s leadership, the committee will play a central role in advancing FIFA’s commitment to human rights, diversity, inclusion and fair play. Its work will contribute to strengthening institutional frameworks, promoting education and awareness, and ensuring accountability in the global game.
The committee is composed of a diverse and experienced group of football leaders from all regions of the world. Its members include Lorrelle Abrams (British Virgin Islands), Irene Aguiar (Spain), Shaikh Hassan Al-Khalifa (Bahrain), Rivaldo Antonio (Guinea-Bissau), Bennett Bailey (South Africa), Paul-Claude Berude (Canada), Isayas Jira Bosho (Ethiopia), Marco Brunelli (Italy), Karina Chango (Ecuador), David Courell (Republic of Ireland), Milovan Djukanovic (Montenegro), Nilton Gusmão (Timor-Leste), Dong-ho Lim (Korea Republic), Abdulhakeen Mustapha (Nigeria), Rakesh Naidoo (New Zealand), Agnieszka Olesinska (Poland), Fabrice Shema (Rwanda), Bounyou Sisane (Laos) and Gaston Uribe (Bolivia).
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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