- Simon Colosimo steps down this month after four years as FIFPRO Deputy Secretary General
- Former Manchester City and Australian nation team player credited for helping to develop FIFPRO globally
- "It has been rewarding to work with FIFPRO’s member unions to support their development and assist players collectively on key issues," Colosimo said
Simon Colosimo, one of FIFPRO’s two Deputy Secretary Generals, has decided to step down from his role after four successful years at the global player union. He will depart after this week to take up a new role in football.
FIFPRO’s other Deputy Secretary General Stephane Burchkalter, who has worked closely with Colosimo for the last four years, will take on some of his responsibilities for the coming months, on an interim basis.
Colosimo, a former player for Manchester City and Australia’s national team, was previously president of Professional Footballers Australia and has occupied several football leadership roles in Asia and Oceania.
In his new capacity, Colosimo will take his knowledge and expertise as he assumes an executive leadership position with the Football Players Association (FPA) in Saudi Arabia.
“After six fulfilling years at FIFPRO, four of them as Deputy Secretary General, I have decided now is the right time to take on a new challenge in football,” Colosimo said. “It has been a privilege to serve the global player community. Thanks to a team effort, I am proud of the successes FIFPRO has achieved.
“It has been rewarding to work with FIFPRO’s member unions to support their development and to assist players collectively on key issues, including the first global maternity rights and the Charter of Player Data Rights. We can also be proud of our work on the Red Button app to help players report match-fixing approaches safely and our project with FIFA to combat social media abuse at the World Cup.”
As well as being Deputy Secretary General, Colosimo led the Union & Player Relations team. He helped FIFPRO enhance support for the international player community, forming FIFPRO’s Global Player Council – a forum for active players with international experience to help shape the football industry and safeguard their rights.
“I want to thank the players around the world, the global leadership of FIFPRO, member unions, and the great team of colleagues I’ve worked with,” Colosimo said.
In one of his most recent tasks, Colosimo oversaw the launch of a review by management consultancy Oliver Wyman that will help enhance governance structures at FIFPRO and bolster collaboration with affiliated and future member associations. He will continue to be on hand to advise FIFPRO on the implementation of the review.
Burchkalter said: “It has been inspiring to work with Simon closely over the last few years and witness his diligence and care for supporting players at every level of the game. FIFPRO will keep pushing new boundaries for footballers, and I am thankful we can continue to count on Simon for his experience and advice as an active and committed advocate for players.”
