FIFA LAUNCHES CHILD SAFEGUARDING PROGRAMME - FIFA GUARDIANS™

July 19, 2019

Last week, FIFA launched a new programme and toolkit – FIFA Guardians™ – designed to enhance child safeguarding standards within football in support of the 211 FIFA member associations (MAs) review of their existing measures.

Containing practical guidance and support materials, the new online toolkit is based on “five principles and five steps” that are underpinned by recognised international standards and best practice in child safeguarding across sports. The FIFA Guardians toolkit is also based on the premise that keeping children safe from harm is “Up to all of Us”, no matter the country we are from or the role we hold in football.

The programme will be rolled out in the coming months through a series of training modules and workshops to promote global awareness and its implementation in all FIFA MAs and by working together with the confederations.

FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, said: “FIFA’s vision is to promote the game of football, protect its integrity and bring the game to all. In realising this vision, we aim to ensure that involvement in football, in any form, is a positive experience for all children.

“Furthermore, as the world governing body of football, FIFA has a duty and responsibility to ensure that those who play football can do so in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment...FIFA believes this to be every child’s right.”

Joyce Cook, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, added: “While some member associations have well-developed policies and procedures in place, it is clear that many others are just starting out on their safeguarding journey.”

FIFA’s new child safeguarding toolkit builds on the confidential reporting structures and safeguarding frameworks FIFA already has in place, and provides clear and practical guidance for our member associations and their stakeholders.

FIFA will be rolling out the FIFA Guardians programme over the coming months, starting with a series of workshops and training modules to help address the needs of its members, as well as assisting them in developing partnerships with expert agencies and statutory authorities on the ground.

“We are delighted that they have also agreed to advise us in the further development of the FIFA Guardians programme, so that we can ensure the continued delivery of the most current and best possible guidance, to address the needs of our members in safeguarding children across the game,” Cook said.