You are here: HomeNewsHealth2020 04 10Article 352837

Sports News of Friday, 10 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Football can wait, no match is worth risking lives - Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino FIFA president Gianni Infantino

All football leagues and competition will not resume anytime soon as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has stated that it is not worth risking human lives.

This is coming as the world combats the deadly virus that has shut down all footballing activities across the globe having infected over 1.6 million people, killing about 100,000 worldwide.

Infantino said on Friday said that “no match” is worth “risking a single human life” and that world football’s governing body would be able to help financially national federations during the coronavirus pandemic.

The majority of top football leagues and international competitions have been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Infantino insisted that games would not resume until it was safe.

“Our first priority, our principle, the one we will use for our competitions and encourage everyone to follow is that health comes first,” he said in a video message.

“I cannot stress this enough. No match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human life.”

The German Bundesliga reportedly could restart behind closed doors in May, with players already back in training, while other leagues could also resume in the summer.

“It would be more than irresponsible to force competitions to resume if things are not 100% safe,” added Infantino.

“If we have to wait a little longer we must do so. It’s better to wait a little bit longer than to take any risks.”

Infantino said that national football associations which are struggling financially would receive help from FIFA’s emergency relief fund.

FIFA last week postponed all international matches scheduled for June.

“We are today in a very strong financial situation,” Infantino said.

“But our reserves are not FIFA’s money. It is football’s money. So when football is in need, we must think what we can do to help… It is our responsibility and our duty.”

Punch/AFP