FIFA president Gianni Infantino has warned football authorities around the world against hurrying up to restart competitions which are on suspension because of the current Coronavirus pandemic, reiterating that such a decision would amount to, more than irresponsibility.
Infantino reacted sharp to the serious plans being made by some world leagues organisers to restart their respect competition , notwithstanding the scourge of Coronavirus disease which has claimed more than 95,000 lives worldwide.
“As our main priority, our principles, the ones we employ in our competitions and also we invite to everyone to follow, is health comes first,” the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) channels quoted Infantino on Thursday.
“As much as I emphasise it, it is not enough. It’s not worth to put at risk any human life for any game, any competition, nor any league.
Everyone should have this clear in their minds.
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“It would be more than irresponsible to restart the competitions if the situation isnot safe 100 per cent. If you must wait a bit more time, we must do it. It is better to waita bit more than taking risks.”
Infantino also talks up FIFA’s efforts geared toward providing emergency funds to football bodies around the world in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic. The world football governing body has reportedly earmarked $2.7 billion for such bailouts.
“Thanks to the work we have been doing together in FIFA during the last four years, we find ourselves in a very solid financial situation. FIFA havea good reputation in the
financial markets” he stated.
“It helps us to consolidate a solid base of important reserves, but our reserves are not FIFA’s money, it is the money of football. So, when football is in need, we have to think about a solution to help. It is
our responsibility. This is how I see it as president of FIFA.
“As football has stopped in the whole world, we are all facing economic issues in different levels, from the base to professional football. Given this, we are already collaborating with
you to asses the financial impact to prepare the right answer.”
