FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura will leave her role at the end 2023, after seven years in which she played a vital role in transforming the world football organisation, restoring its credibility and breaking down barriers.Senegal-born Samoura was FIFA’s first female, African and non-European Secretary General. She was appointed in 2016, becoming FIFA’s first female secretary general and second in command to president Gianni Infantino. The Senegalese former diplomat replaced Jerome Valcke after he was found guilty of misconduct and banned from football-related activity for 12 years.FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura will leave her role at the end of the year after serving for seven years. pic.twitter.com/xnCwmZVHOD— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) June 14, 2023 “It was the best decision of my life to join FIFA,” said Samoura. “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.##NAJAVA_MECA_7318417##”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 honoured to have been on this journey.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##Infantino thanked Samoura for all the hard work and devotion she had put into years spent in a global governing body.”It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a trailblazer in the game. 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.”
