Senegal’s
Fatma Samoura has been appointed as FIFA’s Secretary-General, becoming the
first female in that post and the first African in such position.
She
succeeds former secretary-general Jerome Valcke, who was recently banned from
football-related activity for 12 years.
The
54-year-old Samoura spent 21 years working for
the United Nations and will
assume duties at the world football governing body in June.
“It is
essential that FIFA incorporates fresh perspectives as we continue to restore
and rebuild our organisation. 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,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said of
the appointment.
Samoura’s
appointment, announced at FIFA’s congress in Mexico City, completes a new-look
to an organisation which has been dogged by corruption allegations under Valcke
and previous president Sepp Blatter.
The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Blatter, FIFA President since 1998,
stood down last year and was later suspended from football for six years for
breaching ethics guidelines.
NAN
reports that Samoura, who will undergo an eligibility check before her role is
ratified, currently works for the UN in Nigeria, and speaks four languages.
She
started her UN career as a senior logistics officer with the World Food
Programme in Rome in 1995.
Samoura
has since served as country representative or director in six African
countries, including Nigeria.
“Today
is a wonderful day for me, and I am honoured to take on this role. 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,”
she said.
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