Why players must be free to choose when to use their voice

Footballers who use their voice can face significant personal and professional risks

Institutions have a responsibility to protect player voice and uphold freedom of expression

Protecting player voice means safeguarding freedom of expression and respecting the right not to speak

At major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, footballers are often asked to comment on issues that extend far beyond the pitch. Many players choose to use their platform to advocate for human rights, equality, inclusion and better conditions in football and society, as many have done on FIFPRO’s Footballers Unfiltered podcast.

While players’ contributions can help drive important conversations and create positive change, they should never be expected to carry that responsibility.

“Footballers are workers in a global industry and, like any worker, they should have the freedom to decide whether or not to speak publicly on social and political issues,” said FIFPRO’s Director of Union and Player Relations Benjamin van den Broek, who played professionally for 13 years in the Netherlands, England and Romania.

“Choosing not to comment should never be interpreted as indifference. For many players, speaking out can carry significant personal and professional risks, affecting not only themselves but also their families and communities.”

Shifting accountability

When players are repeatedly asked to answer questions that belong to governments, governing bodies or other institutions, there is a danger that accountability shifts away from those with the power and responsibility to act.

“We're talking about people who are smart, who are socially conscious, people who understand that they don't live in a bubble,” Maheta Molango, chief executive of the English player union PFA and FIFPRO board member, said earlier this year. However, “as much as they have a platform, why should they turn into spokespeople for governments or for governing bodies that in reality should be the ones taking the lead?”

At the same time, players who choose to speak out deserve support and protection. Those who speak out often face immediate consequences such as targeted abuse and personal attacks.

The extent of targeted social media abuse is clear: a joint study co-authored by FIFPRO found that racism and homophobia accounted for 85 percent of verified targeted abuse directed at men’s football players and for those who are vocal, harassment intensifies.

Vinicius Jr., Inaki Williams, Antonio Rudiger and Hannibal Mejbri are among players who have called out racism related to their working lives, both on the football pitch and online. In some countries, thanks in part to their public actions, some of those responsible for racist acts are now receiving sanctions and criminal sentences. That courage deserves recognition, amplification, and above all, protection.

Protecting player voice means building the conditions for it, such as having online safeguards, responsible journalism and legal protections. Social media companies, public authorities, clubs and governing bodies all have a role to play in ensuring adequate safeguards.

Ahead of South Africa’s World Cup group stage game against Czechia, Bafana Bafana captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams spoke out about the online abuse and harassment directed at him and members of the national team from people in South Africa and across the continent.

“Players are human beings as well. We go through it. Sometimes it gets a lot,” Williams said. “You want to focus on doing your job, which is being a footballer, but then you get involved in politics even though you don’t want to get into that space.”

South African player union SAFPU condemned the abuse, calling for unity.

‘Players are people first’

Australia national team player, Jackson Irvine, who is a member of the FIFPRO Global Player Council, has regularly used his platform to speak up for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and diversity.

After qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Irvine and his Australia teammates began to research the lives of LGBTQIA+ community and migrant workers in Qatar; before the tournament began, 16 players participated in a video asking for a safer environment for both groups as a legacy from the tournament. At the 2026 World Cup, Australia players released a video celebrating the diversity of their squad.

Irvine recognises that players should not feel obliged to take a position on governance affairs, which are not their responsibility.

“As players we often do get asked about things that are not decided by ourselves,” Irvine said, about “things like the location of a World Cup.”

Free speech, activism and peaceful protest are fundamental rights, and when players exercise them, that deserves celebration. But the responsibility for human rights, inclusion and good governance sits with institutions and not with players on the pitch.

“Football players are people first, and athletes in their workplace second,” said van den Broek. “Whether they decide to speak out on the issues they care about, that’s their choice to make – and ours to recognise and protect.”

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