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The Bureau of the FIFA Council yesterday, July 6 appointed Tomaž Vesel of Slovenia as the independent chairperson of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee until the 67th FIFA Congress, with immediate effect.
Mr Vesel currently serves as President of the Court of Auditors in Slovenia having been elected by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia in 2013. The Court of Auditors is the highest body for supervising state accounts, the state budget and all public spending in Slovenia – an EU member state since 2004. The body is fully independent with its mandate governed by the Slovenian constitution and its powers of audit cannot be challenged before the courts or other state bodies. Mr Vesel also played a significant role in establishing the auditing of public procurement and concessions, and in implementing audits of a variety of institutions in Slovenia. He is a published expert in the field of auditing and regularly gives lectures on the subject.
In addition to his work in Slovenia, Mr Vesel has worked with numerous European governments and the OECD as an expert adviser, and is an active member of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Organisations and the European Organisation of Supreme Audit Organisations. Mr Vesel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Ljubljana and is engaged in post-graduate studies in European Economic Law at the University of Maribor.
“The appointment of Mr Vesel as independent chairperson of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee is an important development in the ongoing effort to strengthen FIFA’s governance and compliance systems,” said FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. “This is a vital role within the organisation and Mr Vesel’s audit expertise and international experience will help reassure stakeholders and restore trust in FIFA.”
Upon accepting the role, Mr Vesel said “I am delighted to be joining FIFA as the independent chairperson of the Audit and Compliance Committee. As a global institution that governs the world’s most popular sport, FIFA’s work has an expansive reach and tremendous impact. I look forward to working with FIFA to ensure that it operates in accordance with international standards and continues down the path of good governance that has been set out in the reforms.”
“FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee plays a critical oversight role as part of the organisation’s governance system, and in order to sustain the reform efforts underway, FIFA needs to strengthen its enabling instruments,” said Sindi Mabaso Koyana, deputy chairperson of the Audit and Compliance Committee. “Mr Vesel’s appointment demonstrates FIFA’s commitment to bringing in personnel who will help to strengthen FIFA’s operations and build confidence amongst all of our stakeholders. I look forward to collaborating with Mr Vesel and to leveraging the collective experience of the committee members to support FIFA and the football fraternity at large.”
As required under the FIFA Statutes, Mr Vesel successfully passed the eligibility check conducted by the independent Review Committee which consists of the former Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, Miguel Poiares Maduro, the former Indian High Court judge Mukul Mudgal, and the former chairman of Peruvian football club Sporting Cristal, Felipe Cantuarias Salaverry.
The Audit and Compliance Committee is a key body within FIFA’s governance structure. Its primary duties are to ensure the completeness and reliability of FIFA’s financial accounting as well as reviewing the financial statements, the consolidated financial statements and the external auditors’ report.
