Current FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, is set to resign from the position ending of this year
On Wednesday, FIFA announced that Fatma Samoura, who previously worked for the United Nations, will resign from her position as Secretary General at the end of this year.
Samoura was appointed as the first female Secretary General of FIFA and was responsible for managing the organization’s daily operations, as it sought to restore its reputation following corruption scandals. Her predecessor, Jerome Valcke, was dismissed in 2016 and banned for participating in ethical violations.
“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.”
In 1995, Samoura started working for the World Food Programme at the United Nations. She held various positions as a country representative or director in six African nations and played a significant role in enhancing women’s soccer.
“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 was in charge of the reorganization of FIFA, which involved the selection of two assistant secretary-generals and the establishment of a fresh department for women’s football.
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