FIFA names Fatma Samoura as first female secretary general

Fatma Samoura’s appointment was announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, hosting his first Congress since he was elected in February. 

FIFA named an African woman with no experience in soccer administration as its second most powerful official on Friday, part of changes made by the sport’s ruling body to move on from a major corruption scandal. However, FIFA’s Congress also passed a resolution which gives its board, known as the FIFA Council, the power to fire the heads of its independent committees at almost any time.

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura of Senegal, the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Nigeria, was appointed as secretary general and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation.