FIFA president Gianni Infantino announces Fatma Samoura's appointment as secretary general |
FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the announcement at the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City and Samoura will take up the position before mid-June after undergoing an eligibility check administered by the independent review committee.
She replaces Jerome Valcke, who was banned from all football-related activity for 12 years for misconduct during his term.
A statement read: "Ms. Samoura is a 21-year veteran of United Nations programmes who is currently the UN's Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria.
"Since starting her UN career as a senior logistics officer with the World Food Programme in Rome in 1995, Ms. Samoura has served as country representative or director in six countries: Republic of Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Madagascar and Nigeria.
She speaks French (her mother tongue), English, Spanish and Italian.
"In her current UN role in Nigeria, Ms. Samoura has wide-ranging responsibilities including budgeting, human resources, and procurement, among others.
She coordinates the activities of approximately 2,000 staff members, and monitors and evaluates the security, political and socio-economic situation and trends in Africa's most populous country."
Fatima Samoura - Newly Appointed FIFA General Secretary |
"It is essential for FIFA to incorporate fresh perspectives -- from outside the traditional pool of football executives -- as we continue to restore and rebuild our organisation. No one exemplifies what we need more than Fatma does, and we are thrilled that she has joined our team."
Ms. Samoura added: "Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honored to take on the role of FIFA's Secretary General. 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."
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