Fifa pledges exceptional measures to respond to impact of coronavirus

FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, has announced that it will take exceptional measures to respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport.

In a statement, FIFA said that it will work closely with its member associations, confederations, and other stakeholders to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the sport. The measures will include:

  1. Postponing international matches: FIFA has postponed all international matches scheduled for March and April, including World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches.
  2. Suspension of competitions: FIFA has suspended all competitions, including the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
  3. Relief fund: FIFA has established a relief fund to support its member associations and confederations, which will provide financial assistance to help them cope with the financial impact of the pandemic.
  4. Virtual meetings: FIFA will hold virtual meetings with its member associations and confederations to discuss the impact of the pandemic and to find solutions to the challenges faced by the sport.
  5. Support for players and staff: FIFA will provide support to players and staff who are affected by the pandemic, including those who have been quarantined or have lost income due to the cancellation of matches and competitions.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement: "The spread of the coronavirus is a global health crisis that requires a coordinated response from all stakeholders. We will do everything in our power to support our member associations, confederations, and the entire football community during this challenging time."

The measures announced by FIFA are part of a broader effort by the international sports community to respond to the impact of the pandemic. Other sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, have also taken steps to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on their respective sports.