As part of its commitment to working with international organisations and institutions around the world, FIFA and leading members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in sport have met to discuss ongoing collaboration and several key topics affecting football and society. The members of the EP Sports Group met with FIFA leadership, including FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, FIFA Deputy Secretary General (administration) Alasdair Bell, and Arsene Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development, as well as experts to discuss a range of important topics in football at the moment.

Discussions topics included transfer system reforms, talent development, human rights, child safeguarding and the creation of new independent safe sports entity, and women’s football. Members of the EP Sports Group who attended the meetings, included: • Marc TARABELLA, Belgium, co-chair of the Sports Group • Tomasz FRANKOWSKI, Poland, co-chair of the Sports Group • Tiziana BEGHIN, Italy, vice-chair of the Sports Group • Tomasz Piotr PORĘBA, Poland, member of the Sports Group Welcoming the group, Alasdair Bell, FIFA Deputy Secretary General (administration), said: “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 organisations and ensure that football continues to play a positive role in society.”

As part of discussions that took place during the meeting, several recent social campaigns conducted jointly with FIFA were highlighted, including #SafeHome, #ReachOut and a forthcoming anti-discrimination campaign planned for later this year around the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Speaking during the meeting, Tomasz Frankowski, co-chair of the Sports Group and rapporteur of the latest European Parliament report on EU sports policy: assessment and possible ways forward 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 co-chair of the Sports Group, thanked FIFA for the organisation of the visit and noted: “We acknowledge the progress that has been achieved with regard to labour rights in Qatar and we would like to see a continuation of the effort following the conclusion of the World Cup.”