November 29 – Global players’ union FIFPRO has announced UEFA’s former head of governance and compliance, Alex Phillips, as its new secretary general.
Phillips, one of football’s most influential consultants and administrators, spent 17 years at UEFA, heading up various functions such as Strategic Affairs, Asia-Europe affairs, Professional Football, where he co-created the original Financial Fair Play (FFP) concept, and finally Governance and Compliance.
He also spent four years at the Asian Football Confederation, implementing dozens of projects across Asia, as well as working for FIFA as Administrator of the World Football Remission Fund.
Phillips, who takes up his new role on March 1 next year, commented: “I’m grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to build on FIFPRO’s legacy, championing players’ rights and driving collective solutions for a fair and inclusive future in football.”
Phillips was appointed at FIFPRO’s general assembly in Indonesia where Sergio Marchi, current General Secretary of Argentinian player union FAA and president of FIFPRO South America, was elected the organisation’s president after commanding a majority vote.
The former defender, who played for clubs such as San Lorenzo, Almirante Brown and Union Santa Fe, becomes FIFPRO’s first non-European President.
“It is a lot of responsibility and it is going to be a huge challenge, and one which requires a big response and a lot of commitment,” said Marchi.
“Today is the start of a new process. The future will present its challenges, but they are challenges we can face with hope. There is no football without footballers – and we will keep working hard to improve their conditions with hope and conviction.”
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