FIFA appoints Fatma Samoura of Senegal as new Secretary General

This was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City. This is the first time FIFA has appointed a women as the Secretary-General.

“Fatma is a woman with international experience and vision who has worked on some of the most challenging issues of our time,” said Infantino.

“She has a proven ability to build and lead teams, and improve the way organizations perform. Importantly for FIFA, she also understands that transparency and accountability are at the heart of any well-run and responsible organisation.”

FIFA Council appoints @UN executive Fatma Samoura of Senegal as new FIFA Secretary General. pic.twitter.com/tkvcqXo4vR

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 13, 2016

Infantino had promised to incorporate fresh perspectives in FIFA after seek talent from other areas. This is exemplified in by the appointment of Samoura who takes the post officially in mid-June after the necessary rules and regulations. Infantino also praised Ms. Samoura’s integrity and said that he was impressed by her operational experience and her expertise in governance and working in multi-cultural environments which will complement the long-standing and deep knowledge of world football within the FIFA leadership team and administration.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino addresses the #FIFACongress. Follow LIVE: https://t.co/104doojmE9 pic.twitter.com/T51HE55tNW — FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 13, 2016

While speaking at the FIFA Congress, Samoura said, “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,” she said

Samoura is United Nations executive and currently heads the UN’s Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria where she monitors and evaluates the security, political and socio-economic situation and trends in the country.

She started her UN career as a senior logistics officer with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome in 1995 and has served as country representative or director in six countries. She is fluent in her native language French and is speaks English, Spanish and Italian.

Samoura earned her Masters Degree in English and Spanish at the University of Lyon in France and a Post-Masters Degree in international relations and international trade from IECS in Strasbourg, France.