Fatma Samoura: Fifa secretary-general says UN work in war zones prepared her for role amid corruption probe

Samoura, the first woman to hold the post, replaced Jérôme Valcke after the Frenchman was handed a 12-year ban all football-related activity upon being found guilty of misconduct

Fatma Samoura is the first female Fifa general secretary (Getty)

Fifa general secretary Fatma Samoura says her experience of working in war zones for the United Nations means she is well prepared for the role at world football’s governing body.

The 54-year-old Senegalese started work in Zurich last month following the election of president Gianno Infantino in February and cited the challenges in Afghanistan and Kosovo when she was pressed on how prepared she feels for such a demanding position.

Samoura, the first woman to hold the post, replaced Jérôme Valcke after the Frenchman was handed a 12-year ban from all football-related activity upon being found guilty of misconduct. Infantino has pledged to “work tirelessly to bring football back to Fifa and Fifa back to football” as authorities continue their investigations.

Speaking to the BBC’s World Service, Samoura said: “I've covered almost all the emergency situations in the world, including Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Kosovo and Nigeria. I think my last 20 years have prepared me for this complex situation.

“My background equips me to inject more diversity to make Fifa a more sustainable institution. I'm married to a former football player for 28 years who's also being a good advisor to me on a daily basis - but more importantly I have many, many friends among football players.

“Roger Milla, who I met a few years back in Cameroon, we are in regular touch - and we have many other football players, especially the legends, who are in daily contact with me.

“More importantly, I have a deputy secretary-general - midfielder Zvonimir Boban - who played in the great days of AC Milan.”