HISTORY IS MADE AS FIFA APPOINTS AN AFRICAN WOMAN AS SECRETARY-GENERAL

For the first time in the history of world football governing body, FIFA, a woman and an African has been appointed as the Secretary- General.

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, whose full names are Fatma Samba Diouf 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,’’ FIFA President Gianni Infantino said of the appointment.

“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.’’

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.

Former FIFA president, Blatter, stood down last year and was later suspended from football for six years for breaching ethics guidelines.

After his appointment in February, Infantino had said he would “work tirelessly to bring football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football.’’

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,” she said.

“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.’’