FIFA President Infantino: “It’d Be More Than Irresponsible To Resume Playing If The Situation Is Not 100% Safe”

Gianni Infantino, the president of world football’s governing body FIFA, has insisted that health must come first during this difficult times.

Football across the planet is on hold due to the ongoing global Coronavirus pandemic and it remains a complete mystery as to whether or not seasons will even be able to resume.

Despite the great uncertainty, leagues are trying to work out possible schedules for if the season does resume whilst some have opted to just cancel their seasons now to avoid jeopardising next season.

“As our main priority, our principles, the ones we employ in our competitions and also we invite to everyone to follow, is health comes first,” he began an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia.

He then went on to insist that it would be irresponsible to resume competitions when it is not safe to do so and that FIFA are more than happy to wait longer if needs must.

“As much as I emphasise it, it is not enough. It’s not worth to put at risk any human life for any game, any competition, nor any league. Everyone should have this clear in their minds.

“It would be more than irresponsible to restart the competitions if the situation is not 100% safe. If we must wait a bit more time, we must do it. It is better to wait a bit more than taking risks. We will listen carefully to health authorities, experts and work alongside them.”

Infantino also discussed three challenges that FIFA are currently facing with regard to the resumption of the football season.

“If football manages to set up a discussion in which everyone takes into account global interest, the future will be better than the past, now we focus on three areas.

“We have looked at the challenges of the international calendar and I am aware of the need to defend football of the national teams. We also need to understand how to protect club football as the engine of our game.

“We are also looking at player contracts and transfer periods, showing flexibility and common sense for the future. When everything is safe and under control, we will get back to playing.”