| "Our world and our sport will be different when we return to normal" (G. Infantino, FIFA)
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| “ These are times of respect for those who suffer and for those who are helping ” |
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"Dear Presidents, dear friends, it is a pleasure to be with you, but also a great sadness to join you in this way, via video conference. But this is the current situation, we live in very complicated times. These are not moments of great discussion, these are times of respect for those who suffer and for those who are helping.
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| “ Exceptional situations require exceptional solutions ” |
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This virus has shown us how small and vulnerable we are, but also how global the world really is. Exceptional situations will require exceptional solutions and global problems will require global solutions. That's why we are working together.
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 Gianni Infantino during a video conference for the CONMEBOL Congress, 04/02/2020
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For the first time, football is not the most important thing. Health comes first and must continue until this disease is defeated! The world is facing new challenges and in these challenges we must stay together, show solidarity and work as a team. Teamwork is crucial. If football can teach us a lesson in life, it is this. Working as a team, all together, all over the world, to find solutions.
FIFA has made some decisions, unfortunately postponing the qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in South America and Asia, and we have been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to see how football can help the world in this regard.
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| “ It is our responsibility to ensure that football survives and can thrive again ” |
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We must also look to the future and not just sit back and believe that the world is going to go back to the way it was. This will affect us, of course: our world and our sport will be different when we get back to normal. I think it is our responsibility as football administrators to ensure that football survives and can thrive again. It's not just a responsibility, it's our obligation. That is why we at FIFA put health first.
We're also trying to see what the footballing landscape will look like afterwards. Three aspects deserve particular attention: the international match calendar, legal framework (contracts, transfers, etc.) and the necessary financial support.
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| “ We will find solutions ” |
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• Calendar: Firstly, we must seek global solutions to these global problems, in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity. We must raise the issues, everyone has their own interests, but we must talk and put forward issues that we have not yet put on the table. We will find solutions.
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 FIFA
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• Legal framework: players' contracts, clubs, protection, how to help with the contractual issues of deadlines, transfers... Very soon, we will propose something to protect clubs and players as best we can.
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| “ FIFA is in a very strong financial position ” |
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• Financial support: Thanks to the work we have done together, FIFA is in a very strong financial position and has a credible name in the market and in the world. Of course, the same could not be said a few years ago. But it is FIFA that we have created together. A FIFA that works for the benefit of football. A FIFA that stands up in difficult times and faces these problems with conviction and strength. That's why we are working, to see how we can help..
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| “ We'll proceed with a damage assessment ” |
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We'll proceed with a damage assessment. We will discuss this issue in another working group involving all Confederations, we will consult with stakeholders and we will respond by supporting football. It is, I am convinced, FIFA that we all want. A strong and valuable FIFA that we can all be proud of because we are all part of FIFA.
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| “ No match is worth a human life, we must be very clear about this ” |
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Finally, my friends, I would like to reinforce the initial idea. Health must come first. We all wish that we could have football tomorrow but unfortunately it's not possible and nobody in the world today knows when we will be able to play like before. It is very important that we follow the advice of health authorities, governments and that football can serve as an example. No match is worth a human life, and we must be very clear about this. At the same time, we must prepare for the future with confidence and always be positive."
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, during a video conference at the 72nd CONMEBOL Congress, 02/04/2020
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"We will be better, more human and more attentive to ture values" (G. Infantino, FIFA, 02/04/2020)
• "Football will return and when it does, we will celebrate the end of a nightmare together. But there is a lesson that you and I must understand: the football that will return after the virus will be totally different, inclusive, more social and supportive, linked to the territory and at the same time more global, less stubborn and more welcoming.
• One thing will not change: the joy after a goal and the hugs to express our emotions. We will be better, more human and more attentive to true values."
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, to the Italian agency ANSA, 02/04/2020 |
"It's a battle we have to play at home, staying at home" (A. Domínguez, CONMEBOL)
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 Alejandro Domínguez, 02/04/2020
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• CONMEBOL is making a total of $65m (€59.6m) available to clubs taking part in its competitions so that they can receive an advance of up to 60% of the participation fees. - "As managers, we have to take care of football, be aware of its importance, of the jobs it generates, not only for the players, but also for everything around them. That is why we must be responsible in taking decisions that protect football and minimise, as much as possible, the social and economic impact of this situation," said Alejandro Domínguez (PAR), president of CONMEBOL, at the Confederation's 72nd Congress on 02/04/2020.
- "The situation is critical and we must not underestimate it. For now, it's a battle we have to play at home, staying at home to stop this virus," added the President of the South American Football Confederation .
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