FIFA clears Fatma Samoura to begin Secretary General duties

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura is set to take up her position as FIFA Secretary General after passing the eligiblity test, the world football governing body has confirmed on its website.

Samoura, the first woman to hold this position at FIFA successfully went through the eligibility checks conducted by the Independent Review Committee in accordance with article 37 of the FIFA statues.

The Senegalese diplomat officially begins work on June 20, 2016.

New FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura passes eligibility check – https://t.co/WCsHsdZ5Kv Assumes role on 20 June. pic.twitter.com/LQMTkRzh7M

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) June 14, 2016

Samoura, a veteran diplomat who has worked with the United Nations for over 2 decades was named as the next FIFA secretary general at the 66th Congress by its president Gianno Infantino in May.

On May 30, she familiarized herself with the FIFA staff after taking part in a management meeting at the headquarters, two weeks after her appointment by the FIFA council.

“It is my goal to keep putting the reforms into action and to help FIFA in its process of being recognised as an institution that is run under the principles of good governance, and one that people may be proud of,” Samoura said.

Until her appointment which was hailed as historic and a milestone, Samoura was the UNDP Representative in Nigeria.

FIFA