Davido, Michael Jackson, and Fela lined up for awards

Promoters of the joint campaign against racism by the world football governing body, FIFA, and European football body, UEFA, United Kingdom -London Press TV/Africa, have disclosed that the launch of the programme will now hold in April next year.

The campaign was earlier slated to start in June this year but was moved forward following the sudden ill-health of King Charles of Britain.  CEO, of London Press TV/Africa Global Channel, David Irabor, also said that the timing of the last European championship hosted by Germany affected plans for the campaign, adding, however, that the English Football Association has advised them to continue with plans for the event.

Irabor said that the project has already received the approval of the English FA to use Wembley Stadium, London, for the World Music Fanfest and Lifetime Inspirational Award, in Collaboration British Union Of Journalists/British Broadcasting Corporation on April 26, 2025.

With football as the principal tool for the campaign, Irabor said part of the event is a football match that will pit FIFA All Stars against UEFA All-Stars in a ‘Europe Against Racism’ charity match at the Wembley Stadium, London.  

According to the organisers, former World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, who is the first player to become president of a country, will be honoured at a ceremony tagged: World Football Legends Royal Awards 2024.

They also disclosed plans for a King Charles of England-endorsed Golden Cup and also a Commonwealth Football Youth Development Cup. Irabor said that his firm plans to collaborate with Guardian News & Media Group UK to host and promote the ‘Europe against racism’ charity football match, the World Football Legends Royal Award, and Africa Global Inspirational Awards, which would also feature a musical gala concert.
 
He said Weah would be celebrated for demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship by conceding defeat after the recent Liberian election, adding that award-winning musician, Davido, will also receive an award at the event.

Also to be honored at the World Football Legends Royal Awards, Irabor said, are David Baldwin, Richard Masters, Mike Oshikoya, Sir Alex Ferguson, Johan Cruyff, Pierluigi Collina, Michelle Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, also Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Nnamdi Kanu, Austin JayJay Okocha, and Victor Osimhen.

Others are Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Hilda Magala, among others.
“The past and present football world administrators will all be honoured with a Legendary Iconic Recognition Award. They include Lionel Scaloni, Luciano Spaletti, Head, La Liga, Favier Gomez, Head of Serie A, Luigi De Sierro, Francois Pinault, and Nasser Al-Khelaiffi, as well as, such football administrators as Sepp Blatter, current UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, current FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and now FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick, English FA chairperson, Debbie Hewitt, and NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, among others.”

Irabor, who disclosed that his outfit owns Africa Global Channel/Afrocentric music festival, said the awards seek to honor those who made inroad and contributions to the society in the social-political arena, global business distinction, humanitarian endeavors, and leading figures in the society.
On his foray into the music world, Irabor said: “I registered Multichoice Music Television Productions Inc UK, we shall open a U-tube channel called MMTV24 for music streaming

“Afrocentric Music Festival shall be streamed live from this channel …We also own MMTV-WORLD HipHop AWARDS and Diamond Viewerschioce Music and Movies AWARDS, USA.”

Expected recipients of the musical awards are Westlife Group, the late Bob Marley and Fela, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston, who will receive a post-humous award, Irabor said.