Aussie to head up new FIFA department

James Johnson, once a midfielder with Brisbane Strikers and part of Australia’s side that made the final of 1999 World under-17 Championship, will head a new department within FIFA.

Source: FIFA

The Professional Football Department “will be a central body for professional football activities and be responsible for the relations with professional football stakeholders, such as the European Club Association, FIFPro and the world leagues, as well as other parties of relevance on professional football policy matters.”

The Department will begin its work within the Legal Affairs Division

The creation of the department follows a decision of the FIFA Executive Committee on 30 May 2015.

Mr Johnson, a now trained lawyer, has been with FIFA since May 2013 when he joined as a Senior Manager of Member Associations & Development.

Prior to that he worked at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as a Director of International Relations and Development.