World football governing body, FIFA, has appointed Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura as its first female secretary general.
She succeeds Jerome Valcke who was banned from football-related activity for 12 years.
The Senegalese with a 21-year experience at the United Nations is currently the UN’s Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, officially announced her appointment at the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City on Friday.
“Fatma is a woman with international experience and vision who has worked on some of the most challenging issues of our time,” Infantino said.
“She has a proven ability to build and lead teams, and improve the way organisations perform. Importantly for FIFA, she also understands that transparency and accountability are at the heart of any well-run and responsible organisation.”
Samoura will undergo an eligibility check administered by the independent Review Committee, per Article 37 of the FIFA Statutes, before assuming the role of FIFA Secretary General before mid-June.
The Masters Degree holder in English and Spanish Language expressed her gratitude.
“Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honoured to take on the role of FIFA’s secretary general,” Ms. Samoura said.
“I believe this role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience – strategic, high impact team building in international settings – which I will use to help grow the game of football all over the world. I also look forward to bringing my experience in governance and compliance to bear on the important reform work that is already underway at FIFA.
“FIFA is taking a fresh approach to its work – and I am eager to play a role in making that approach as effective and lasting as possible.”
Samoura, 54, has wide-ranging responsibilities including budgeting, human resources, and procurement, among others in her UN role in Nigeria.
