FIFA launches new safeguarding initiative - FIFA Guardians

To optimise for archiving, the original image and related documents associated with this article have been removed.

World governing body of football, FIFA, have launched a new global programme dedicated to enhancing child safeguarding standards within the sport.

The new initiative named, FIFA Guardians, will provide practical guidance to each of the 211 member organisations in reviewing their existing safeguarding measures through a series of training modules and workshops.

The FIFA Guardians toolkit will be based on five principles and five steps that are underpinned by recognised international standards.  Such measures will become a requirement to receive member association funding from FIFA .

The initiative comes following a number of historical child abuse cases in sport that have come to public knowledge, including the British football sexual abuse scandal in 2016, the Larry Nasar, former USA Gymnastics national team doctor case, and most recently the sexual allegations towards the Afghanistan Football Federation from the Women’s national team.

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.” The programme is also expected to develop for the protection of vulnerable adults.

Please click here to view the FIFA's statement. 

You may also like

View All

Pinned Article

Sport Resolutions Annual Conference 2026: Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets for the Sport Resolutions 11th Annual Conference are now available. Join leading sport and legal professionals in London on 7 May 2026 for a full day of discussion, insight, and networking

Read More

Union Berlin’s Director of Football states abuse of new female head coach Marie-Louise Eta is ‘embarrassing’ and ‘insane’

Union Berlin’s Director of Football has stated that the abuse of new female head coach Marie-Louise Eta is ‘embarrassing’ and ‘insane’

Read More

Speaker Line-up Announced: Spending Limits in Sport – Purpose, Enforcement and Legal Realities

The full speaker line-up has now been confirmed for this session on spending limits in sport. Moderated by Manish Bhasin, the panel will bring together leading voices from across the industry to explore the purpose, enforcement and legal realities of salary caps and financial controls

Read More