Three immediate priorities for the FIFA President

Three immediate priorities for the FIFA President

FIFA President Gianni Infantino answers media questions at a press conference.

 Getty ImagesFIFA President Gianni Infantino identified his three direct priorities for FIFA in supporting football during and after the Coronavirus in a video message specifically directed to 211 FIFA Member Associations and shared with FIFA Council members. The FIFA President has reiterated, in order of priority, that health comes first, that FIFA is ready to assist football proactively in these exceptional circumstances, and that an ongoing consultation process is underway to consider the future development of this sport.
FIFA President said: "Our first priority, our principle, is the priority that we will use in our competitions and we encourage everyone to follow it is that health comes first." "I cannot stress the importance of this in a sufficient degree. Neither game nor competition nor league deserves to risk one human life. Everyone in the world must make this very clear in their minds. It would be irresponsible to compel competitions to resume if things are not 100% safe If we have to wait a little longer, then we should do it. It is better to wait a little longer than take the risk. "
Mr. Infantino singled out the proactive participation of member associations in using football to pass important health messages and participate in their societies at this difficult time. He said: "This is the issue of football and teamwork, and we have to keep it that way."
For) the Emergency Relief Fund ... Thanks to the work we've done together in FIFA over the past four years, we are in a very strong financial position today,” said the FIFA President. “FIFA has a good reputation in the financial markets ... and that has helped us to establish solid foundations with substantial reserves. But our reserves are not FIFA money. It is football money. So when football is in need, we must think about what we can do to help ... It is our responsibility and duty. "

The FIFA President stated that a process of consultation is already under way to assess the financial impact through football in order to prepare the correct response based on a fund with an independent management structure. "You have to know that we will be there and find solutions together," he said. "You will never be alone ... (and) the world will know where the money goes, and most importantly, why the money goes there."
However, in order to alleviate urgent financial problems, the FIFA President stated that, subject to the approval of the relevant committee, the second part of the operating costs of the FIFA Member Associations will be pushed forward later this year in advance. Mr. Infantino added that due to the exceptional circumstances, he requested a waiver of the requirement to meet additional criteria for both 2019 and 2020 in order to pay the full amount for all member federations.
"If football manages to have a discussion in which everyone contributes positively and considers global concern for the individual, I am convinced that our future can be better than our past, and we will be better prepared for the coming times." FIFA President said.
Mr. Infantino thanked the Office of Councilors and Presidents of all Federations for the unity and solidarity that appears at this time, and that such an approach would help football to thrive outside the coronary virus. Focusing on the future, the FIFA President added that the right balance must be found to protect both the national and club football teams in relation to the international match schedule, flexibility and common sense regarding player contracts and the transfer of windows should prevail from a legal perspective, and that the necessary analyzes will be made to assist the associations Members via the Emergency Relief Fund.
Although traditional consultation processes have been interrupted by travel restrictions in relation to the coronavirus, the FIFA President has asked member associations to "work with the technology available to engage more, talk about the common challenges ahead of us, and think about the future."
He concluded by saying, "I am convinced that football will play a major role in returning people to each other when it is safe to play again and be with our friends and families in large groups." "Let's prepare for that moment ... FIFA is with you in these difficult times, and together we will win!