FIFA appoints first ever female secretary general to succeed Jerome Valcke

Senegal's Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has been appointed Fifa's first female secretary general. She will succeed Jerome Valcke, who was banned from football-related activity for 12 years.

Samoura, 54, has spent 21 years working for the United Nations and will take over at FIFA in June.

On her appointment, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said,

"

It is essential Fifa incorporates fresh perspectives as we continue to restore and rebuild our organisation.

She has a proven ability to build and lead teams, and improve the way organisations perform. Importantly for Fifa, she also understands that transparency and accountability are at the heart of any well-run and responsible organisation."

However, Samoura's role is still due to be ratified pending an eligibility check. She is currently working for the UN in Nigeria and speaks four languages.

After her appointment, which was announced at the recently-concluded FIFA congress in Mexico City, Samoura said,

"

Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honoured to take on this role.

This role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience - strategic, high-impact team building in international settings - which I will use to help grow the game of football all over the world.

I also look forward to bringing my experience in governance and compliance to bear on the important reform work that is already underway at FIFA."