In an interview with the Associated Press news agency, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has discussed the unprecedented situation that football has been faced with as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic.
“It is the biggest crisis that football faced in history. We all know that this terrible virus that is all across Europe made football and all life in Europe quite impossible. We knew we have to stop the competitions.”
Ceferin then went on to speak about the economic hit football will take due to the virus and also revealed how much the postponement of the European Championship’s from this Summer to next to allow league campaigns to finish will cost.
“It will go to hundreds of millions of euros. The economic situation in Europe and in the world will harm us as well. It’s not only about the losses that we will have directly with postponing of the Euro, but it will affect all the economy.
“And now today, it’s time for unity and for deciding. And tomorrow, it’s time to start assessing the possible damages. But I still think I’m sure that we will come out stronger than ever.”
He then went on to admit that some clubs and leagues will face serious problems as a result of the virus but insists that he is confident that by sticking together, football can get through the situation.
“We are all the same in the same situation here and we have to help each other. When we see what kind of financial impact are we talking about, then we will see how to help. But yes, some clubs, some leagues will have serious problems.
“But you shouldn’t forget about national associations because the sole source of revenue of national associations is mainly UEFA. So it will be a bit hard in a few months or years, but we will step together. And as I said, I’m very optimistic and we will solve the situation.”
He then spoke more on the postponement of the European Championship’s and the uncertainty he has about whether some leagues will be able to finish or not.
“We think that postponing the Euro is the only chance to get a chance to the national leagues and to all the club competitions to finish their competitions, but also that is not sure for now.
“For sure it is best for the competitions to be completed but is it possible, considering the calendar, which is extremely tight? It’s hard to say.”
Next he said the plan is for the European Championship’s to still be held in the same venues that they were planned to take place in this Summer.
“The plan is to have the same venues, the same cities, the same stadiums but if anything gets complicated, then we can do it with less stadiums but the plan is that everything stays the same.”
In conclusion, Ceferin also spoke about the need to heed advice to stay inside.
“Even the expert doctors don’t know when this will finish. We shouldn’t panic, but we should be responsible and now I think the actions that the European governments are starting to do are good.
“We have to respect it. We have to stay away from going out and hanging with friends. The more we respect that, the faster the crisis will finish.”
“I don’t know what will happen concerning the football calendar, but this situation brought us together.
“We saw that our ecosystem is fragile, that it’s one ecosystem, that we have to act responsibly and that we have to help each other. There is no more time for egoistic ideas. There is no more time for selfishness. This is a reset of the world of football.”
