Lisbon: The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) General Assembly today unanimously approved the appointment of Franco Frattini, Justice and Chamber President to the Italian Supreme Administrative Court, as SIGA’s independent Chair.
Frattini will serve as SIGA Chair for a four year term beginning with immediate effect. Highly respected for tackling Mafia and organised crime, the Italian Magistrate will bring more than 40 years of experience in diplomacy, government, integrity and sport to the role. He has served twice as Italian Foreign Minister as well as Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. Frattini has been awarded the ‘Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic’ and ‘Commander of the Legion of Honour’ by the President of France. In 2011, he received the Olympic Order from the IOC in recognition of the significant role he and Italy played in campaigning for the IOC to be awarded Observer status at the United Nations.
The SIGA Nominations Committee, chaired by Lord John Stevens and comprised of representatives from across SIGA’s diverse membership, recommended Frattini to the General Assembly following an extensive selection process. The Committee drew up a shortlist of candidates based on specific criteria including international standing in sport and sports integrity, and relevant experience. Frattini was recommended to the SIGA Council and approved before being presented to the General Assembly. One of his jobs as the Chair will be to work with the Nominations Committee to begin the process for identifying potential candidates to become SIGA CEO.
Speaking on video to the General Assembly, Franco Frattini said:
“I strongly support SIGA’s activities and I am very well aware of the high reputation SIGA enjoys around the world. I think it is very important to also be aware of the challenges sport is facing today. Sport has no borders and it speaks around the world in the same way to the young and to the old. This is why it is so important we all work together to share common principles, to share values, to defend and make integrity, respect of legality and respect of all the binding rules in the sports sector even stronger.”
Speaking on the appointment, Lord John Stevens said:
“We are delighted to appoint Franco Frattini as SIGA Chair. The SIGA Nominations Committee underwent an extensive selection process and we are in no doubt that Mr Frattini is the perfect candidate for the role. His CV speaks for itself and SIGA will benefit greatly from his vast experience and expertise. He has an impeccable track record and he is passionate about promoting good governance and sports integrity across SIGA’s three core strategic areas.
“With Frattini as Chair we are certain that SIGA has the right person in place to lead our coalition forward and ensure that SIGA makes a real contribution to ushering in a new era for sport.”
Shellie Pfohl, SIGA council member and CEO of U.S. Centre for SafeSport added:
“We welcome Mr Frattini as chair of SIGA. His track record of supporting the highest efforts in sports and in society in general is outstanding. We look forward to his leadership as SIGA continues to make positive change in sports ethics and integrity across the world.”
During the General Assembly, SIGA also announced a number of new members including Parkour Earth, Safe Sport USA and MediaCom, as the international coalition continues to attract industry leaders from across the world of sport. The General Assembly also heard presentations from a number of prominent speakers including La Liga President Javier Tebas and Managing Director of Communications for UEFA, Pedro Pinto, who spoke of their common efforts in safeguarding their sports and promoting integrity and willingness to work with SIGA.
