Latest update December 17th, 2024 3:32 AM
Samoura to step down as FIFA Secretary General
(Reuters) – Senegal’s Fatma Samoura will step down from her role as FIFA Secretary General at the end of the year, world soccer’s governing body said yesterday.
Samoura, who was a United Nations veteran, became the first woman to be named FIFA secretary general and was tasked with its day-to-day running as the body looked to fix its reputation after being embroiled in corruption scandals.
Her predecessor Jerome Valcke was fired in 2016 and banned for ethics violations.
FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura addresses delegates at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center (IPRC) Kigali stadium, during the inauguration of a FIFA football programme for all schools, in Kigali, Rwanda March 14, 2023. (REUTERS/Jean Bizimana/File Photo)
Advertisement · Scroll to continue
“FIFA today is a better governed, more open, more reliable and more transparent organisation. I will leave FIFA with a high sense of pride and fulfilment,” Samoura said in a statement.
“I had intended to share my news first with the FIFA Council members next week, but I am aware there has been growing speculation about my position in recent months.
“For now, I am fully focused on the preparation and delivery of the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.”
Samoura, who began her U.N. career with the World Food Programme in 1995 and served as country representative or director in six African countries, was heavily involved in improving women’s football.
“Fatma was the first woman, and the first African, to be appointed to such an important position at FIFA,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
“We respect Fatma’s decision and I would like to thank her for such dedication and commitment to football.”
Samoura oversaw the restructuring of FIFA which included appointing two deputy secretary generals and creating a new women’s football division.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The oil industry is a casino of cash, power and corruption
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- According to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow in her book, Blowout: “The oil and gas industry... more
Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – The government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has steadfast support from many... more
Weekend Cartoon
