Following its launch in July 2019, FIFA Guardians™ – the new initiative launched by FIFA to help member associations and confederations around the world introduce stronger child safeguarding measures in football – has been recognised in a new report to the European Commission looking into safeguarding children in sport.

The study, which aims to analyse existing measures in place at national and/or international level to combat violence against children, acknowledges FIFA Guardians™ as of one of the notable initiatives being undertaken by international sports federations in the field of child safeguarding in sport.

To access the Safeguarding Children in Sport report, please follow this link.

Speaking of the recognition, Joyce Cook, Secretary General of the FIFA Foundation, said:

“Following the launch of the initiative in July 2019, the recognition of FIFA Guardians within the European Commission’s new Safeguarding Children in Sport report comes at a significant time for the programme and is a considerable acknowledgement of the international standards that underpin the guidance and best practice included within the FIFA Guardians child safeguarding toolkit.

“Going forward, we will continue our ongoing efforts with the FIFA Child Safeguarding Expert Working Group to support member associations and confederations to implement the practical guidance included within the toolkit. We welcome this recognition from key stakeholders from the international community and we will continue to mobilise and work with the wider football community to raise safeguarding standards within football.”

In addition to FIFA Guardians™, during the recent FIFA Council meeting October 2019, FIFA also took another important step in the protection of minors in football, strengthening the regulations around international transfers of young players.

Further information on the measures can be found here. To read more about the FIFA Guardians programme, please click here.