Fleming Awarded FIFA’s Order of Merit

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced CSA President Jim Fleming has been awarded the prestigious FIFA Order of Merit for his dedication to the sport of soccer in Canada and around the World. Fleming becomes the first Canadian to win the coveted award.



“This is indeed a great honour and I am very humbled to receive it,’ said Fleming, who is in Korea attending the FIFA World Cup as a member of the FIFA Appeals Committee. “It is a great way to mark the end of my tenure as President and I look forward to receiving the award with my friends and family in August in Edmonton for the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship.”



Fleming has previously announced he will not be seeking a third consecutive two-year term at this June’s Annual General Meeting but will continue to fulfill his duties as Tournament Chair of the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in Edmonton, Victoria and Vancouver from August 17 – September 1. He served as CSA President from 1982- 1986 and was reelected in 1998 and 2000.



Fleming joins some illustrious company with past recipients including Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Sir Stanley Matthews, Bobby Moore, Dr. Henry Kissinger and Nelson Mandela.



Earlier this year Fleming was inducted into the CONCACAF Hall of Fame.