FIFA is recruiting in Switzerland. Logical for a body based in Zurich. But, more surprisingly, it has called on a former big name in Swiss football. Gelson Fernandes, a former Swiss international from Cape Verde, will join FIFA on 1 August as regional director of the Member Associations division for Africa. He will be responsible for overseeing development assistance to African member associations through FIFA’s Forward programme. Gelson Fernandes, 35, trained at FC Sion, where he currently holds the position of vice-president. A globetrotter in professional football, he has played for FC Sion, Manchester City, AS Saint-Étienne, Chievo Verona, Leicester City, Udinese, Sporting CP, SC Fribourg, Stade Rennais and Eintracht Frankfurt. He has been selected as a midfielder 67 times for the national team.
