Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – After serving at the helm of FIFA as secretary general for five years, Fatma Samoura has announced her resignation. Samoura became FIFA’s first woman and first non-European secretary general in 2016.
According to FIFA’s statement released on Tuesday, Samoura has expressed her desire to devote more time to her family and return to her home country, Senegal. She will step down from the position at the end of the year.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, praised Samoura for her contribution to the organization, saying, “Fatma has done an extraordinary job at FIFA over the last five years. She came into the organization at a difficult moment, and her tremendous energy and vision helped us to overcome many challenges and to achieve many milestones.”
During her tenure, Samoura oversaw the overhaul of FIFA’s governance structure and the implementation of various reforms that followed the corruption scandal that rocked the organization in 2015. She also served as the FIFA General Delegate for Africa, working to promote football on the continent.
Samoura’s departure comes at a time when FIFA is facing renewed scrutiny over human rights abuses in Qatar, which is set to host the 2022 World Cup. Critics have accused FIFA of failing to address worker exploitation and deaths linked to the construction of stadiums and infrastructure for the tournament.
Samoura’s resignation has led to speculation about her future plans and potential successors. A number of names have been touted in the media, including FIFA’s Chief Legal Officer, Emilio García Silvero, and South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, who was recently elected as the new president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
While Samoura’s departure will undoubtedly leave a void at FIFA, her legacy as a trailblazer for women in sports administration and a champion of reform will endure. Her leadership has inspired countless women and girls across the world to pursue their dreams and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
In conclusion, Fatma Samoura’s resignation as FIFA’s secretary general marks the end of an era, but it also presents an opportunity for new leadership and fresh ideas to take the organization forward. As FIFA continues to navigate the challenges of the modern world, it will need to draw on the lessons learned from Samoura’s tenure and embrace the values of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
