FIFA president gives conditions for football leagues to return

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said on Friday that no match is worth risking a single human life for. He said that while speaking through a video message.

Infantino also expressed assurance that world football’s governing body would be able to support financially national federations during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

The majority of top football leagues and international competitions have been put on hold over the outbreak of the pandemic virus.

The FIFA president maintained that games would not resume until it’s safe.

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

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

He could restart behind closed doors in May, with players already back in training, while other leagues could also return in the summer.

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

He further said, “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 get assistance from FIFA’s emergency relief fund.

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

Meanwhile, FIFA last week postponed all international matches slated for June.