The Confederation of Independent Football Associations would like to welcome Ben McFadyean to our growing team of media professionals. 

Ben, a life-long fan of Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa, is a football journalist and a football academic at the University of East-Anglia, based in the United Kingdom. 

Fluent in five languages including Spanish, Ben spent a large part of his childhood in Mallorca, living in the semi-autonomous region of Spain known as the Balearic Islands (Illes Balears in the Mallorquin language) and is passionate about the power of football for regions and unrepresented peoples. 

Ben previously worked with CONIFA at the 2018 World Football Cup in London and said: “I have followed the remarkable work of CONIFA which empowers the football communities of minorities and national peoples who are not recognised by UEFA, FIFA and the other international football federations by staging regular football tournaments. 

“In a world where diversity including ethnicity is so much part of identity CONIFA provides a platform for peoples to come together and celebrate their culture and tradition in the context of the ‘beautiful game’. 

“I am delighted to be part of the media leadership in Europe and look forward to contributing my work to the football tournaments like the European Football Cup in Nice in June of this year.” 

Global Media Director, Tom Howe, added: “CONIFA is privileged to have the opportunity to add Ben’s talent and expertise to its ever-expanding list of media personnel. 

“Showing impeccable levels of dedication to his craft, Ben’s background as a football journalist and podcaster can help CONIFA open new doors in terms of coverage for a growing global platform already numbering over 1.1 billion connections worldwide.

“CONIFA continues to develop at pace and additions like that of Ben, as well as Women’s Media Director Rosa Simonet, goes to show our commitment to providing value and resources to our current and future member associations. 

“With excitement building ahead of the planned competitions and events across 2022 and beyond, I hope you will join me in welcoming Ben to the Confederation and I look forward to seeing what can be achieved together.”

Contact Details:

Tom Howe – tom.howe@conifa.org

Ben McFadyean – ben.mcfadyean@conifa.org