It was the best decision of my life to join FIFA. I am very proud to have led such a diverse team. My first word of thanks goes to Gianni Infantino for giving me this dream job. He has shown trust, understanding and an incredible level of support. It is a pleasure to work alongside someone that has transformed FIFA. 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.

I had intended to share my news first with the FIFA Council members next week but I am aware there has been growing speculation about my position in recent months. For now, I am fully focused on the preparation and delivery of the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. I look forward to spending the next six months bringing to life the 11 objectives that President Infantino announced at the FIFA Congress in Kigali in March. From next year, I would like to spend more time with my family. I have been in love with football since I was eight years old and I feel honored to have been on this journey

It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a trailblazer in the game,” says FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Ever since we met, I knew she would be superb for FIFA. Her passion and enthusiasm to drive change has been inspirational. Fatma was the first woman, and the first African, to be appointed to such an important position at FIFA. We respect Fatma’s decision and I would like to thank her for such dedication and commitment to football. Fatma will continue to contribute towards the development of the game and its social values together with us.

Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General

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Fatma Samoura is the first female and non- European to hold the role as head of FIFA’s administration. She was appointed in May 2016 by recently-elected President Infantino.

She has had many achievements during her tenure which includes:

• Overseen unprecedented growth in women’s football
• Overseen restructure at FIFA that includes appointment of two Deputy Secretary Generals, a new and fully developed Women’s Football Division, a Technical Development Division, a Chief Compliance Officer.
• Initiated improved programmes for FIFA’s 211 member associations.

She joined FIFA with more than 20 years of experience working for the UN, where she served in seven nations, including the Republic of Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Niger, Madagascar, and Nigeria.

Working in areas devastated by conflict, violence, and a lack of women’s rights, she had frequently been struck by how football could convince combatants to put down their weapons and provide joy even to those who were undergoing excruciating suffering. She realized that football was a worldwide language.

Source FIFA FIFA Fatma Samoura

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