Robert-Guérin

The foundation act of FIFA was signed in Paris on 21 May 1904. Two days later, the General Secretary of the Union Francaise des Sports Athlétiques, Robert-Guérin, at only 28, was elected as the first President of FIFA. An engineer by profession, Guerin was a far-sighted pioneer and was surrounded by men who were very intent on seeing their sport flourish at an international level. FIFA brought in the Danish, Dutch, Swiss, Spanish, and Swedish representatives, who were also joined, in the following season, by Italy, Germany, and England.

Guerin determined the criteria for the first international competition with the best club teams and he made invitations for the contest but, when the deadline for entries had expired, not one single Association had entered. Guerin was so disappointed that he resigned; however, he should be given credit for having anticipated such a development. Guérin was also an editor and correspondent for various newspapers and was named a Knight of the Legion of Honour.