Two women from English and Welsh Football Associations have made history after being appointed to some of the biggest jobs in world football.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has made history by being elected as the British vice-president on the FIFA Council, while Professor Laura McAllister CBE FLSW has been appointed to UEFA's executive committee - becoming the first Welsh woman to do so.
Hewitt, who secured 39 of the votes from UEFA’s 55 national associations, was elected ahead of incumbent David Martin from Northern Ireland, making her the first woman to beat a man in an election FIFA. The 59-year-old is no stranger to breaking new ground, having been chosen as the FA’s first female chair in its near 170-year existence in January last year.
Hewitt's appointment to the role on the global governing body’s most senior committee was announced at UEFA Congress in Lisbon on Wednesday. She now has a mandate on the FIFA Council until 2027.
Her appointment coincided with the appointment of former Wales captain Laura McAllister to UEFA's executive committee. McAllister had been due to stand for election for the post, but she has been appointed unopposed.
McAllister narrowly lost an election to be UEFA's representative for women on FIFA's ruling council in 2021 and the 58-year-old is the first Welsh person to serve on UEFA's executive committee.
"I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey so far and to the FAW for nominating me," McAllister said on Wednesday.
"Welsh football is breaking through a lot of glass ceilings currently and joining the Uefa executive committee will be a tremendous achievement for the FAW and a very proud moment for me and my family."
The FA tweeted to congratulate Hewitt saying: "Congratulations to Debbie Hewitt MBE, Chair of The Football Association, who has been elected as a FIFA Vice-President."
European football's governing body also confirmed that president Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected for a third four-year term. Ceferin took over as Uefa president in from France's Michel Platini in 2016.
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