June 15 – Fatma Samoura is to step down after seven years as FIFA’s secretary general to “spend more time with my family”, the organisation announced Wednesday.
Samoura, one of the most high profile women working in world sport administration, will stay in the job through the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and leave at the end of the year.
Samoura, the first non-European in the role, was a surprise choice as Fifa’s No. 2 following Gianni Infantino’s election as FIFA president.
She was tasked with the day-to-day running of the organisation as it looked to try and improve its reputation after being embroiled in corruption scandals.
One of her successes was enhancing women’s football globally. However, Infantino’s executive-style management approach has often given the impression of sidelining Samoura, who reportedly earns $2 million a year, in terms of key decision making.
Nevertheless, the former Senegalese diplomat and United Nations official said of her impending departure: “I am very proud to have led such a diverse team. 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.
“For now, I am fully focused on the preparation and delivery of the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. From next year, I would like to spend more time with my family.”
Making all the right statements about working with Samoura, 60, Infantino said he respected her decision.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a trailblazer in the game,” he added. “Ever since we met, I knew she would be superb for FIFA.
“Her passion and enthusiasm to drive change has been inspirational. Fatma will continue to contribute towards the development of the game and its social values together with us.”
FIFA has not yet announced a successor but two officials most likely in the running are deputy secretary-generals Alasdair Bell and Mattias Grafstrom.
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