Fifa are working on the details of a \u201cFootball Marshall plan\u201d to deal with the financial fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic, which will almost certainly result in them dipping into their US$2.7 billion (RM11.6 billion) reserves, Reuters reports.<\/p>\n
World football’s governing body have set up a working group to look into the myriad of issues thrown up by the halting of the game across the globe as a result of the pandemic and this week they are expected to focus on ways in which they can help give a cash boost to those struggling.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Fifa told Reuters that they were aware that there were \u201cserious financial problems on account of the coronavirus outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis threatens to disrupt and impair the ability of Fifa\u2019s member associations and other football organisations such as leagues and clubs to develop, finance and run football activities at all levels of the game, including professional, non-professional, youth and grassroots.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is foreseen that in many parts of the world a considerable number of persons involved in football including both men and women players will be left in extremely difficult economic conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokesperson added that due to Fifa’s strong financial situation, the body has a duty to help those in need.<\/p>\n
The exact format and details of this assistance have yet to be decided but this week will see further consultations with Fifa\u2019s member associations, the continental confederations and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said that while a number of issues about how to distribute resources and implement on the plan remain to be resolved, they aim to have a scheme \u201cagreed and announced in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s 2016 election campaign included plans to distribute the organisation’s resources. At the time he declared: \u201cThe money of Fifa is your money, it\u2019s not the money of the Fifa president.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most domestic and international football competitions around the world have been suspended due to the pandemic and continental team tournaments such as Euro 2020 and the Copa America have been postponed.<\/p>\n
Last week Reuters reported a leaked internal Fifa document which showed the working group was assessing proposals that current contracts for players and coaches should be extended until the end of the delayed domestic football seasons.<\/p>\n
The document recommended that Fifa use its newly-created \u201cFund for Professional Players\u201d to help ease any difficulties that clubs are facing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"