Samoura will leave FIFA at the end of the year

June 15 – Fatma Samoura will step down after seven years as FIFA general secretary to "spend more time with my family", the organization announced on Wednesday.

Samoura, one of the most prominent women working in the administration of world sport, will remain in post until the next Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and will leave at the end of the year.

Samoura, the first non-European in the role, was a surprise pick as FIFA No.2 after Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA President.

She was put in charge of the day-to-day running of the organization as it sought to improve its reputation after being embroiled in corruption scandals.

One of her accomplishments has been to improve women's football around the world. However, Infantino's executive-style management approach often felt like it sidelined Samoura, who would earn $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 organization, more open, more reliable and more transparent. I will leave FIFA with a high sense of pride and fulfillment.

"Right now I'm fully focused on preparing for and delivering the next Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. From next year I'd like to spend more time with my family."

Making all the right statements about working with Samoura, 60, Infantino said he respects her decision.

“It was a privilege and an honor to work with a gaming pioneer,” he added. "Since we met, I knew she would be great for FIFA.

"Her passion and enthusiasm for driving change has been an inspiration. Fatma will continue to contribute to the development of the game and her social values with us."

FIFA has yet to announce a successor, but the two officials most likely to be in the running are Deputy General Secretaries Alasdair Bell and Mattias Grafstrom.

Contact the author of this story at moc.l1686978258labto1686978258ofdlr1686978258owedi1686978258sni@w1686978258ahsra1686978258w.wer1686978258dna1686978258

Sports Jun 17, 2023 0 48 Add to Reading List

June 15 – Fatma Samoura will step down after seven years as FIFA general secretary to "spend more time with my family", the organization announced on Wednesday.

Samoura, one of the most prominent women working in the administration of world sport, will remain in post until the next Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and will leave at the end of the year.

Samoura, the first non-European in the role, was a surprise pick as FIFA No.2 after Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA President.

She was put in charge of the day-to-day running of the organization as it sought to improve its reputation after being embroiled in corruption scandals.

One of her accomplishments has been to improve women's football around the world. However, Infantino's executive-style management approach often felt like it sidelined Samoura, who would earn $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 organization, more open, more reliable and more transparent. I will leave FIFA with a high sense of pride and fulfillment.

"Right now I'm fully focused on preparing for and delivering the next Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. From next year I'd like to spend more time with my family."

Making all the right statements about working with Samoura, 60, Infantino said he respects her decision.

“It was a privilege and an honor to work with a gaming pioneer,” he added. "Since we met, I knew she would be great for FIFA.

"Her passion and enthusiasm for driving change has been an inspiration. Fatma will continue to contribute to the development of the game and her social values with us."

FIFA has yet to announce a successor, but the two officials most likely to be in the running are Deputy General Secretaries Alasdair Bell and Mattias Grafstrom.

Contact the author of this story at moc.l1686978258labto1686978258ofdlr1686978258owedi1686978258sni@w1686978258ahsra1686978258w.wer1686978258dna1686978258