FIFA English

FIFA: Don’t start playing football too early

FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes resuming football too early would be irresponsible to the health of people in the industry.

This comes after there were talks among top European leagues that they might resume as early as next month.

Bundesliga clubs have started training together, while practicing social distancing, with the league could resume in May.

Other leagues might follow soon, with La Liga and Serie A eyeing for a return some time around next month as well.

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

“I cannot stress this enough. No match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human life. Everyone in the world should have this very clear in their mind.

“It would be more than irresponsible to force competitions to resume if things are not 100 per cent safe.

“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 also said that FIFA is still assessing the financial impact towards football and hope clubs around can find the right solution to the ongoing problem involving revenue and salaries.

“You have to know that we will be there and we will find solutions together,” he said.

“You will never be alone… the world will know where the money goes and, equally important, why the money goes there.

“If football manages to have a discussion where everyone contributes positively, and keeps in mind the global interest over the individual one, I am convinced our future can be better than our past, and we will be better prepared for the times ahead.”