Share

Samoura vows to improve FIFA's image

Paris - FIFA's new secretary general Fatma Samoura on Saturday vowed "to help football restore its tarnished image" following a spate of scandals within the game's world governing body.

"My goal is to support the programme of president Gianni (Infantino) and to help football restore its tarnished image," the Senegalese UN diplomat, named on Friday as FIFA's first ever female secretary general said.

"And to those who speak of my lack of experience, I say give me the time to prove myself," she added in a telephone interview from Abuja, Nigeria, where she is representing the United Nations Development Programme at a summit to discuss efforts to defeat Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

"FIFA is the United Nations of football and I bring 21 years of experience in the private sector and the UN in terms of good governance and transparency, and the obligation to make the different federations and FIFA accountable," added the 54-year-old.

"We must try to restore football to what it was, the most popular sport that breaches social divides.

"And one of the things I am going to try to do is bring greater support to women's football."

Samoura, who was named as the successor to the disgraced Jerome Valcke at a FIFA congress in Mexico on Friday, will take her post by mid-June after undergoing an eligibility check administered by an independent review committee.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE