FIFA meets with EP Sports Group
FIFA meets with EP Sports Group
- The members of the European Parliament and the members of the European Parliament Sports Group held a meeting at the FIFA museum and the FIFA headquarters located in Zurich, Switzerland.
- FIFA initiatives and key topics related to football and society were crucial topics of discussion.
- The day was an important opportunity for the European Parliament Sports Group and FIFA to openly discuss initiatives and topics related to football. This meeting was held to discuss and formulate ways on how the game can better serve and support society.
FIFA and the leading members of the European Parliament in Sports met to discuss the collaboration.
The attendees of this meeting were the members of the European Parliament Sports Group, the FIFA leadership including Secretary-General of FIFA – Fatma Samoura, Deputy Secretary-General of FIFA(administration) Alasdair Bell, and Arsene Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development, in the presence of other experts.
Members of the European Parliament Sports Group who were the attendees of the meetings were:
- Marc Tarabella – Belgium, co-chairperson of the Sports Group
- Tomasz Frankowski – Poland, co-chairperson of the Sports Group
- Tiziana Beghin – Italy, vice-chairperson of the Sports Group
- Tomasz Piotr Poreba – Poland, member of the Sports Group
The topics of discussion were:
- Transfer System Reforms
- Talent Development
- Human Rights
- Child Safeguarding
- Women’s Football
The Deputy Secretary-General of FIFA(administration) Alasdair Bell presided over the meeting and welcomed everyone, “We are delighted to welcome the members of the European Parliament and EP Sports Group to the Home of FIFA. This meeting provides a valuable opportunity to discuss a range of FIFA initiatives and important topics in football and society today, as well as a chance to continue our ongoing dialogue with important institutions, like the European Parliament.”
“As part of our objective to grow and improve the game around the world, FIFA is committed to continuing to engage with and build relationships with international organizations and ensure that football continues to play a positive role in society.”
Several social campaigns conducted jointly with FIFA were also highlighted:
- #SAFEHOME
- #REACHOUT
- Unnamed forthcoming anti-discrimination campaign – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Tomasz Frankowski, the co-chairperson of the Sports Group and former professional football player who prepared the European Sports Policy report spoke on important factors in the meeting.
The European Sports Policy report included:
- key issues such as safe sport, good governance, anti-discrimination, and inclusiveness.
- FIFA’s transfer system reform.
He said, “Today was an important opportunity for the EP Sports Group to come to the Home of FIFA to openly discuss several key topics affecting football, as well as how FIFA and the EP Sports Group can continue working together to better help the game serve and support society. We welcome this platform to continue open and transparent dialogue and would like to thank and congratulate FIFA on the vital work it is doing to grow and develop football in Europe and many countries around the world.”
Marc Tarabella thanked FIFA who organized the meeting and acknowledged the process saying, “We acknowledge the progress that has been achieved with regard to labor rights in Qatar and we would like to see a continuation of the effort following the conclusion of the World Cup.”