FIFA mourns passing of François Carrard

Former International Olympic Committee Director General has passed away in his home city of Lausanne, aged 83; Mr Carrard chaired the FIFA Reform Task Force in 2015.

FIFA has paid tribute to the former director general of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) François Carrard, who has passed away at the age of 83.

Mr Carrard led the IOC administration for 14 years, playing a key role in reshaping and reforming the organisation during his tenure, which ran from 1989 until 2003.

Following his work at the IOC he headed FIFA’s independent reform committee and was chairman of the Reform Task Force – upon which FIFA President Gianni Infantino also sat before being elected president the following year.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of François Carrard,” President Infantino said on Monday. “Mr Carrard was a man with the utmost integrity and a unique ability to unite, no matter how testing the circumstances.”

During a legal career that spanned more than four decades, Mr Carrard built a reputation as one of the most widely-respected sports administrators in Switzerland. This led to his appointment as Chairman of the FIFA Reform Task Force in 2015.

President Infantino continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to him and send my condolences to his family, friends and all those close to him.”