FIFA announces experienced Elkhan Mammadov as Director Member Associations Europe

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FIFA has announced the appointment of Elkhan Mammadov as Director Member Associations Europe.

From May 1, 2022, Mammadov will assume the role and will be responsible for regional strategies on the implementation of the FIFA Forward programme, analysing specific requirements across European football’s 55 FIFA member associations in order to define development projects and to ensure their implementation in line with the FIFA framework.

His appointment ends a spell of almost a decade and a half with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), initially as General Secretary and latterly in the role of Executive Vice President. Mammadov assumes the role vacated by Nodar Akhalkatsi, who has been appointed to the post of FIFA Director of Strategic Projects and Member Association Governance.

“It is a real boost to FIFA to have Elkhan joining the team,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

“His commitment to building the foundations of football has reaped significant reward for everyone involved in the sport in Azerbaijan, and I look forward to him applying his experience for the benefit of European football as a whole. We welcome him to the FIFA team.”

Mammadov joined AFFA in 2007 and played a leading role in raising the stature of all sports in Azerbaijan. He was Chairman of Local Organising Structure behind the third edition of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in his home country in 2012, whilst simultaneously sitting on FIFA’s Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee. He had a guiding hand in Baku staging further international events, namely the 2015 European Games and 2019 UEFA Europa League final before hosting four matches, including a quarter-final, at UEFA EURO 2020.

“It is a very special opportunity to join FIFA and I do so with feelings of responsibility and honour,” Mammadov said, who will be based in Paris with the FIFA Member Associations team.

“Today, FIFA is a locomotive of the game, covering every corner of our fragile world. Together with the FIFA team and member associations, I am sure we will continue developing football, implementing new ideas for further developing both men’s and women’s football.

“I am passionate about good governance and the sustainable development of football, and I share the objectives of FIFA and President Infantino in that regard,” he added. “The last 15 years at AFFA have given me significant experience in the sports industry. It has been a long and pleasant journey, so thanks to the AFFA President and team for the hand-in-hand collaboration, for implementing effective management, developing grassroots football, and organising great events. I will give everything to use that experience for wider impact in this new position.”

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Football Has the Audience. Does It Have the Commercial Strategy?

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

Soccerscene has launched Survey 4: Commercial Confidence in Football, calling on clubs, sponsors, governing bodies, commercial leaders and football industry professionals to assess whether the game is making the most of its enormous commercial potential.

Football has the audience, participation base and community reach to be one of Australia’s most powerful commercial platforms. But does the industry have the commercial strategy, professionalism and infrastructure required to turn that potential into sustainable growth?

That is the question at the centre of Soccerscene’s latest industry research.

The survey examines how attractive grassroots football is to potential commercial partners, what industry professionals believe is limiting football’s commercial potential, and whether clubs are presenting themselves professionally enough to sponsors.

It also explores what sponsors value most when engaging with football – from community reach and participation scale to brand alignment, values and purpose – as well as whether improved facilities could directly contribute to stronger sponsorship outcomes.

Is football fully capitalising on its commercial opportunity?

Football continues to provide brands with access to highly engaged communities across grassroots, community and elite environments. Yet the commercial landscape remains fragmented, with clubs operating with vastly different levels of resources, capability, governance, media infrastructure and commercial expertise.

Soccerscene’s survey is designed to capture the industry’s perspective on where the opportunities exist – and where football may be leaving commercial value on the table.

The research will look specifically at four key areas:

  • Commercial attractiveness – How attractive is grassroots football as a commercial partnership?
  • Commercial barriers – What is holding football back from reaching its full commercial potential?
  • Club professionalism – Are clubs presenting themselves effectively and professionally to sponsors?
  • Sponsor value – What are sponsors really looking for when they invest in football?

The survey also asks whether better facilities would have a direct impact on sponsorship outcomes, highlighting the potential relationship between infrastructure, commercial presentation and investment.

Have your say

Soccerscene is encouraging football clubs, sponsors, commercial professionals, governing bodies, administrators, media professionals and industry stakeholders to participate.

The findings will contribute to Soccerscene’s ongoing program of industry research, designed to provide a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing football and the organisations operating within it.

Take the Survey: Commercial Confidence in Football

Complete the Commercial Confidence in Football Survey here

The survey will close on 30 August 2026 at midnight, with responses received before the deadline included in the final analysis.

Football has the audience. The question is whether it has the commercial strategy to match.

Football Queensland’s Logan hub plan rejected by council

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Image Credits: Football Queensland

Football Queensland’s plans for a major new football hub at Meakin Park have been rejected by Logan City Council. The proposed $76.1 million redevelopment aimed to create a state home for football in Queensland.

Council unanimously rejected Football Queensland’s request for longer-term leases and additional land at the Slacks Creek site. The decision leaves the organisation’s current leases in place. The proposed development would have delivered new playing fields, elite training facilities and a dedicated home for Football Queensland.

Three-stage development

The first stage of Queensland Football’s development carried an $8.5 million price tag. It would upgrade fields, lighting, drainage and irrigation across Meakin and Mappas parks. The goal was to create a six-field, international-standard training venue.

The second stage represented the largest investment. Football Queensland planned to spend $55.3 million on a new headquarters at the adjoining Queens Park site. The facility would include a Women and Girls Academy, sports science facilities, sports medicine and strength and conditioning services.

A third $12.3 million stage would add an indoor futsal academy and two synthetic fields. Football Queensland said the project could create a major football precinct for the region. It also saw the facility playing a role in Queensland’s preparations for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Lease decision creates roadblock

Queensland’s governing body sought a 25-year lease with an option for another 25 years. Chief executive Robert Cavallucci said longer tenure was essential to secure government funding and move the project forward. The organisation has around three years remaining on its existing leases.

Council took a different view. Concerns included community access, funding certainty, future costs and the level of use at the existing facilities. Councillors also questioned whether a long-term arrangement would deliver enough benefit to Logan residents and grassroots clubs. Logan Council has now ordered a review of Football Queensland’s performance under its current lease.

Grassroots football at the centre

The decision highlights a wider issue for football infrastructure. Major facilities can provide elite pathways, sports science and high-performance opportunities, but unless councils can ensure local players and clubs can access the fields, they will be rejected.

Meakin Park already serves several sporting organisations, including football users and community sporting groups. Football Queensland said it had invested almost $2 million at Meakin Park and Mappas fields. It also argued the precinct operates at around 130 per cent capacity. For Queensland football, the challenge now is finding a model that can deliver high-performance facilities while expanding access for the community.

The proposal may have been rejected, but the need for better football infrastructure remains. With participation growing and Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games approaching, the debate over where and how Queensland builds its next generation of football facilities is unlikely to disappear.

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