Emilio García Silvero, FIFA’s chief legal and compliance officer for eight years, is stepping down to begin a new chapter in Madrid. His departure marks the latest high-profile exit from FIFA, following the August resignation of COO Kevin Lamour, who cited concerns over Gianni Infantino’s controversial World Cup sale plan. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also expected to leave when his contract expires.
García Silvero spearheaded key regulatory reforms, including a clearinghouse for international payments, new agent regulations, and a modernized international transfer system. He also worked to improve transparency and accessibility of football rules across FIFA’s six confederations. His exit comes as Spain prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco, though the final venue remains undecided.
FIFA has appointed Jan Kleiner, head of football regulations in Zurich, as interim head of legal and compliance in Miami. García Silvero also serves on the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s management board. FIFA praised his eight years of service, highlighting his leadership in modernizing international football’s regulatory framework. The organization continues to navigate leadership changes ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing