A Premier League veteran and an industry innovator — together building the recognition system football has always needed.
A former Swiss international centre-back who played professionally for over a decade — including with Arsenal in the Premier League and clubs across Germany and Switzerland. Today, as coach of Lancy FC's women's first team and technical director of the Swiss women's national teams, Johan actively implements the SHIELD program, bringing his leadership and integrity to reward character alongside talent at every level of the game.
The originator of the SHIELD concept. Drawing on her experience in the football industry, Ella developed SHIELD's on-pitch recognition system — making sportsmanship, integrity and respect visible and meaningful for players of all ages. Together with Johan Djourou, she is leading SHIELD's global expansion with the ambition to reshape football culture where character matters as much as performance.
SHIELD exists because the game's most important qualities — sportsmanship, integrity, leadership, dignity — go unrecognised on the pitch. We believe that needs to change.
By creating a simple, consistent, peer-led recognition system, SHIELD makes these values visible, repeatable, and meaningful from the youngest academy level to the senior professional game.
The moment of recognition happens where it matters — on the field, immediately after the final whistle.
Captains and referee vote together — making the recognition credible and meaningful to every player who receives it.
Every season, every match, every level — SHIELD builds a consistent culture of values that compounds over time.
Join the movement. Sign up your team or explore partnership opportunities.