A second senior Football Association executive in a year is making the switch to Saudi Arabia in the long run up to the 2034 World Cup.
Tarik Shamel is ending a career of more than 20 years at the FA to join legal chief Polly Handford, appointed as the Saudi Football Federation’s General Counsel in February last year.
Shamel, formerly head of integrity and then chief regulatory officer, has been a key player in the Lucas Paqueta betting case since the West Ham United midfielder came under investigation in August 2023.
The FA are seeking a lifetime ban for Paqueta, who is charged with spot-fixing offences across four Premier League matches.