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Senegalese UN official appointed FIFA secretary general

A youth orchestra plays behind a screen marked with FIFA in the colors of the Mexican flag, during the opening ceremony of the 66th FIFA Congress, held in Mexico City, Thursday, May 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) A youth orchestra plays behind a screen marked with FIFA in the colors of the Mexican flag, during the opening ceremony of the 66th FIFA Congress, held in Mexico City, Thursday, May 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

By Associated Press May 13, 2016 1 min read

MEXICO CITY (AP) – FIFA will have its first female secretary after Senegalese United Nations official Fatma Samoura was appointed by the governing body’s council.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says “she will bring a fresh wind to FIFA – someone from outside.”

Samoura will replace the fired Jerome Valcke if she passes an eligibility check.

Also on Friday, FIFA lifted Indonesia’s suspension from world soccer. Indonesian national and club teams, referees, and officials were banned over government interference in the running of the national federation.

Indonesia was readmitted after the government agreed to end its suspension of the soccer federation, but the national team has missed out on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup while banned.

Benin and Kuwait are suspended due to government interference in their federations’ independence.