December 9 – Even the great survivor is now calling it a day. Delia Fischer, almost part of the furniture in FIFA’s media department who worked tirelessly for the organisation for 15 years, often having to balance her commendable loyalty with answering the most sensitive of questions – increasingly during the ongoing corruption scandal – is finally on her way out, the latest stalwart to leave following Gianni Infantino’s election.
During her career at FIFA, Fischer, who managed to cling on to her position when others in her department moved on, has decided to do the same after working in various positions in Marketing and Communications. Since 2007, she has been in charge of FIFA World Cup communications and three years ago took over as head of media in succession to Pekka Odriozola.
It is not known where the multi-lingual Austrian, who always endeavoured to toe the party line even under immense pressure, is heading next but in the short term she will no doubt be able to spend more time supporting her beloved Rapid Vienna, where she is a member, as well as her second team, Borussia Dortmund.
“As a passionate football fan, I feel privileged to have contributed to the growth and betterment of the game as part of FIFA’s organisation for more than a decade,” she said in a statement.
“It has been a very rewarding experience and I have been lucky to have worked with so many talented and dedicated people. I will miss FIFA very much, but I feel it is the right moment to take the next step in my career. I am excited about pursuing new opportunities and using the skills I have developed here at FIFA on this new road I am taking.”
FIFA’s recently appointed Chief Communications Officer Fabrice Jouhaud, who is building his own team, issued a trademark tribute. “Delia has worked incredibly hard on behalf of FIFA and we are immensely grateful for all she has done. We respect her decision to leave and wish her the very best in her future professional career,” said Jouhaud.
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