Memorandums of Understanding with AFC and CONMEBOL will promote development within the region

ZURICH, Switzerland (Tuesday, May 26, 2015) — The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) in Zurich.

The signing ceremony, which took place ahead of the FIFA Congress, formalizes the ongoing cooperation between CONCACAF and these football governing bodies. It also establishes a framework to provide and receive technical and administrative support.

In addition to MoUs with four regional football Confederations, CONCACAF has also signed agreements for mutual collaboration with INTERPOL, the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) and the University of the West Indies. CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President, Jeffrey Webb, has always been an advocate of forming partnerships in the quest to develop the sport.

“It is our priority to ensure that everyone has access to the game of football, and it is therefore vital that we all embrace the spirit of collaboration and pro-activity within the football family to achieve this important goal,” said Webb. “Historically, we have built solid partnerships with other Confederations and today we are pleased to share our vision and strategies to advance the sport within the CONCACAF region and globally.”

Having already signed MoUs with CAF and UEFA in 2013 and 2014, CONCACAF aims to add the strength of CONMEBOL and AFC in order to develop football in its region and contribute to football’s overall global growth. Areas highlighted in the agreements include Refereeing, Coaching, Competition Development, Media & Marketing, Women’s Football and Sports integrity.

“It is a sign of hope that, anywhere in the world CONCACAF and CONMEBOL strengthen our goodwill to work and progress together,” said CONMEBOL President, Juan Angel Napout. “We honor our commitment towards CONCACAF and will work towards the same objectives of promoting football and helping it become a tool of development.”

“This agreement crystallizes the closer relationship that AFC has been building with our friends at CONCACAF, and the work that we have already started, for example in the area of club licensing,” said AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. “The two Confederations have many common features, and we look forward to working closely together with a focus on competitions and knowledge-sharing.”

The benefits of the existing MoUs have already made a positive difference, with members of each Confederation having participated in exchange programs to assist in regional tournaments and obtain first-hand knowledge in their respective areas of expertise.

IMAGE: CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb greets CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Confederations in Zurich on May 26, 2015.