Armenian Football Star Yuri Djorkaeff appointed head of FIFA.
Former French international football star of Armenian origin, Yuri Djorkaeff, has been appointed as head of the FIFA Foundation.
The FIFA Foundation, founded in 2018, runs social programs around the world and helps rebuild sports infrastructure. The international federation representative announced the news on Tuesday.
Yuri Djorkaeff started his career in 1984 with French club Grenoble, before moving to RC Strasbourg in 1989, AS Monaco in 1990, and then Paris Saint-Germain in 1995. In 1994, Djorkaeff led Division 1 in goals with 20. He won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with PSG in 1996.
Yuri Djorkaeff accumulated 82 caps and scored 28 goals for France in 1st Division between 1993 and 2002. Moreover, he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 with the national team.
Djorkaeff also played for his country in UEFA Euro 1996 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He retired in 2006, after playing for the Red Bulls of New York.
“He was a great player who can score goals and gives the final ball; he was definitely one of the most talented players of his generation.” (Arsene Wenger about Youri Djorkaeff)
The 51-year-old newly appointed general director of the Zurich based foundation headquarters of FIFA has commented on the news being “The most rewarding experience of my life”.
Youri has been involved in various development projects and has created his own foundation in 2014, a non-profit dedicated to providing football programs in New York City.
“Working with my foundation has been the most rewarding experience of my life (…) We all know the potential of football to change lives and I am happy to be able to contribute in a very concrete way”, said Djorkaeff, quoted in the statement of FIFA.
In July 2018, Yuri visited Armenia. He participated in the Brothers and Legends’ football match between Latin America and Europe, that was held at the Vazgen Sargsyan Stadium. Later Djorkaeff held a meeting with Prime Minister Nigol Pashinyan.
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Youri Djorkaeff in Brothers and Legends’ Match
On Sunday the 8th of July 2018, Armenia hosted the Brothers and Legends’ football match between Latin America and Europe, that was held at the Vazgen Sargsyan Stadium. NEWS.am Sport published a photo report from the match.
Latin America triumphed over Europe 5-2. Goals of the Europe team were scored by Luis Figo and Youri Djorkaeff; while the goals of Latin America were scored by Gabriel Batistuta, Javier Saviola, Dwayne De Rosario (double) and Bebeto.
A video of the Armenian Prime Minister Nigol Pashinyan surfaced on social media while he was visiting the players in the locker rooms, after the match, where he is seen shaking hands with the players and receiving a special Jersey signed by all the stars.
Pashinyan meets Youri Djorkaeff
On the next day, Prime Minister Pashinyan held a meeting with Youri Djorkaeff, member of the French National Champion Team, that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000.
Youri Raffi Djorkaeff is the son of French footballer Jean Djorkaeff and an Armenian mother Mary Ohanian, was born in French southern city Lyon, in 1968. His younger brother, Micha Djorkaeff, was also a professional football player. His Brother Dennis Djorkaeff is Mayor of Décines.
On 15 November 2012 Djorkaeff hosted Phone-a-thon for Armenian charity held in Europe, in benefit to the construction of community centers in villages throughout Artsakh and comprehensive agricultural development in Armenia’s Tavush Region. In addition, a part of the proceeds was dedicated to providing urgent aid to the Syrian-Armenian community.
Djorkaeff currently runs the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing football programs in New York City.
In the video below, Youri expresses his emotions about the late Armenian revolution and admitting that he has been in Armenia before while visiting with two different French Presidential Delegations, he says he has had opportunities to invest before but it didn’t just feel right.
