By Duncan Mackay
December 8 – FIFA’s director of communications Hans Klaus (pictured) has resigned from football’s world governing body following a dispute over strategy less than 200 days before the opening of the World Cup in South Africa.
Klaus, who previously worked for Switzerland’s Justice Ministry and the defunct national carrier Swissair, only took on the role in May 2008 when he succeeded Andreas Herren, who is now acting as a consultant for Russia’s bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
But FIFA announced today that they agreed to “part company” with Klaus because of “contrasting perspectives on communications strategy.”
Klaus said: ”It has been a great experience and definitely a valuable enrichment for my professional career to work for FIFA over the past two years.
“FIFA is a fascinating organisation in the fascinating world of football.”
Klaus, a qualified public relations adviser, had joined FIFA from Geneva-based Japan Tobacco, where he had been the director of Global Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Head of media Nicolas Maingot will take on Klaus’ duties temporarily while deputy head of media Pekka Odriozola will step up to fill the role of acting head of media.
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