The International Socca Federation, let me introduce you to our team

Pete Spacey

Pete Spacey has been a key figure in small-sided football for over two decades. His journey began in grassroots football, where he developed innovative approaches to organizing local tournaments.

As Vice President of the International Socca Federation, Pete has been instrumental in expanding the sport’s reach globally and establishing professional standards for small-sided football competitions.

Thanos Papadopoulos

Thanos Papadopoulos serves as the Chief Executive of the International Socca Federation, bringing over 15 years of experience in sports management and administration to the role.

Under his leadership, the ISF has experienced significant growth, establishing partnerships with major sports organizations and expanding the federation’s global footprint.

Christoph Köchy

As President of Socca Europe, Christoph Köchy has been instrumental in developing small-sided football across the European continent. His vision has helped establish numerous national federations and strengthen existing ones.

Christoph’s expertise in sports governance and his commitment to grassroots development have made him a key figure in the growth of socca football in Europe.

Sergio Ibarra

Sergio Ibarra leads the development of small-sided football across the Americas as President of Socca Americas. His extensive background in sports administration has been vital in establishing the sport’s presence in the region.

Under his leadership, Socca Americas has seen remarkable growth in participation and the establishment of professional leagues across North and South America.

Tibor Csuhai

Tibor has been involved in 6 a side football for more than 15 years. The development of this sport has always been a primiary motivation for him and his business plans. He holds degrees in both sports management and ecomomics, and hopes to use these to help achieve the enormous potential of 6 a side football in Hungary.

Wojciech Dudek

Wojciech operates Poland’s largest small-sided leagues organisation and has experience in operating sporting events, marketing them, and technical promotion over a wide range of disciplines in the industry.

Vedran Prga

Vedran has over 20 years working in the TV industry in his native Croatia, and has produced high level broadcasts for a variety of sports including football, basketball, handball, ice skating and Bocce ball.

He has previously been in charge of TV production at past Socca events including the 2019 World Cup in Crete and 2022 World Cup in Budapest.

Murat Yeleupov

Murat Yeleupov is the head of the Kazakhstan organisation, who have been highly success in Socca, reaching the final of the first ever Socca EuroCup and winning the Socca World Cup in 2023 in Essen.

Mareks Kere

Mareks is one of the most experienced and respected referees in the Socca World. Currently President of the Latvia Socca Federation, he has previously refereed at all three Socca World Cups, in Lisbon, Crete and Budapest.

Waleed Al Obaidani

Waleed is the founder and CEO of the Sport Makers Company, from the Sultanate of Oman, which considered as one of the most prominent members representing their countries from the Middle East in the International Socca Federation, since its establishment in 2017 and its accession as a representative member of the Sultanate of Oman in the Socca Federation in 2018.

On the Arab Gulf level, Sport Makers is one of the leading companies in activating corporate and amateur sports in the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Gulf states and has a proven track record in managing and organizing local tournaments and international participations representing the Sultanate of Oman in corporate and amateur world championships.

Mina Kourtzi

With experience as a Project Manager at the World Academy of Sport (WAoS) in Switzerland, As a Senior Account Manager at Libero S&T in Greece, Mina played a pivotal role in executing strategic plans and nurturing client relationships in the events management and sports marketing sector. Currently a Ph.D. candidate in sports business, and holding both an MBA in Sports Management from Seton Hall University in the USA and an MSc in Sports Management/Marketing from the University of Peloponnese in Greece, Mina is well-equipped to contribute to the global sports business landscape. Embarking on her new role as Operations Manager at the International Socca Federation, the governing body of 5, 6, 7, and 8 aside football, Mina is poised to bring her expertise to drive operational excellence and advance the sport worldwide.

Julia Colter

As LOC President, Julia is responsible for the organization of the 2023 Socca World Cup in Essen, Germany. Julia is experienced in managing key events and ensures that, at tournament level, everything operates to world class standards.

Krisztina Czeczei

Krisztina was one of the main driving forces behind the hugely succesful 2022 Socca World Cup in Budapest, Hungary.

Always a familiar face with teams and fans alike, she has been instrumental in the growth of Socca in Hungary.

Simon Grlec

Simon has been part of the Socca referee’s team for a number of years now, refereeing at 2 Socca World Cups, the Socca EuroCup and 2 Socca Champions Leagues.

He brings a vast wealth of knowledge to the game and his experience is invaluable in progressing the Socca Referee team.

Michalis Vyzirakis

Michalis Vyzirakis comes from a construction background, and has been responsible for the construction of every Socca World Cup stadium to date, including the challenging erections on the beach in Crete 2019, and in the main square in Lisbon in 2018.

Laurence Moore

A fine photographer and videographer, Laurence was our roving lensman in Lisbon and Crete, heading up our dedicated team of cameramen. His wonderful eye for composition and his eye for the innovative angle, means his work compels. He went to Crete for two weeks before the World Cup in order to get a real flavour for the event and to watch the stadium being built, really being able to tell the story of the tournament.

Tayyab Rasheed

Tayyab Rasheed is our IT manager who is responsible for keeping the website up to date with everything that is happening in the world of Socca!

Howard Bentham

Howard Bentham is a renowned stadium announcer, presenter, reporter, and voiceover artist in the UK. He has acted as stadium announcer at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games as well as the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup and 2002 Commonwealth Games. He is the lead announcer for a range of sports in the UK including hockey, rugby, badminton, cricket and rowing. Bentham has also won a number of awards for his radio work.

Michalis Hountoumadis

Michalis Hountoumadis is our Tribunes Manager.