April 7 – Former Manchester City and Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes has been appointed FIFA’s new director of member associations for Africa.
Born in Cape Verde, Fernandes played his international football for Switzerland, first in the U21 side and then 67 times for the senior team.
He is taking on a politically sensitive African role and will be tasked with strengthening the development of African associations through FIFA’s forward programme.
“I am an African and if you get an offer like this, you must do it because it is a way of giving something back to Africa as an African,” said Fernandes, though he has never actually played in Africa.
“I see it as my obligation to work for Africa and its football. This mission that I will start in August includes all aspects around my roots and this continent, showing my gratitude and support and giving my all for African football.”
Fernandes will succeed the Swiss-Congolese Veron Mosengo-Omba in the role. Veron Mosengo-Omba was deployed by Zurich in Africa and now serves as the secretary-general of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The 35-year-old Fernandes featured for a host of European clubs during his career, including Manchester City, Leicester City, Udinese, Sporting Lisbon and Eintracht Frankfurt.
He served as vice-president for a year to Christian Constantin at Swiss club FC Sion. A wealthy businessman, Constanin runs his club in a somewhat erratic fashion, with CEO Massimo Cosentino leaving after just a year in charge.
Working in that kind of chaos will perhaps be good preparation for Fernandes in his new African role.
“We will look for solutions to constantly improve the situation (in Africa),” said Fernandes. “Everybody has to be involved. This continent has incredible potential. I come from this continent; I am one of the many stories of this continent.”
Fernandes’ experience in football administration is nevertheless limited and the key question is how much leeway he will get in Zurich to fulfil his role independently.
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