GROS ISLET, St. Lucia,  (CMC) – In an unprecedented moment for Caribbean football, three distinguished Saint Lucians have earned coveted appointments to the standing committees of FIFA, the world’s football governing body.

The appointments, confirmed at the FIFA Council Meeting in Zurich on October 2nd, will see SLFA President Lyndon Cooper, Vieux Fort Football League President Examin Philbert, and Dr Natasha Innocent serve a four-year term from 2025 to 2029 on key global committees.

This triple nomination marks a significant recognition of Saint Lucia’s growing influence on the international football stage.

Leading the charge is SLFA and Caribbean Football Union (CFU) President Lyndon Cooper, who has been named Deputy Chair of the influential FIFA Development Committee.

He will be joined by Examin Philbert on the FIFA Women’s National Team Competitions Committee, while Dr Natasha Innocent will lend her expertise to the FIFA Medical Committee.

In a statement, Cooper hailed the appointments as a testament to the quality of work being done locally.

“I wish to extend my congratulations to Examin Philbert and Natasha Innocent,” Cooper said. “The fact that their ability and work ethic have been recognised at the highest level speaks volumes. It should tell you that, as a country, we are on the right track.”

According to a release from the SLFA, FIFA expressed its “pleasure and honour” in extending the appointments, acknowledging “the continued contribution and commitment of Saint Lucians to the development of football globally.”

These standing committees are vital to FIFA’s operations, reporting directly to the FIFA Council and providing expert advice in their specialised fields.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the newly formed committees are designed to foster greater inclusion and expertise.

“The new Standing Committees will lead to the greater involvement of our member associations, increased female representation, and more focused technical expertise,” Infantino said. “In other words, FIFA will be better equipped to face the future.”