Coronavirus: Nobody knows when football can return - Infantino
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Nobody knows when football can return - Infantino

The Hindu  

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino admitted on Thursday that “nobody knows” when football can resume around the world, and that when it returned it was “going to be different”. He said that because of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, for once football “is not the most important thing”. “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,” Infantino told South American football chiefs via video link. We have to make sure that football survives and that it can prosper once again.” READ | Like most other sports, football across the world has been largely halted by the pandemic, which to date has infected nearly a million people and killed more than 47,000.

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History of this topic

Infantino Sparks Anger Saying Biennial World Cup Could Prevent Migrant Deaths in Mediterranean
2 years, 11 months ago

Infantino Sparks Anger Saying Biennial World Cup Could Prevent Migrant Deaths in Mediterranean

News 18  

FIFA president Gianni Infantino sparked criticism on Wednesday when he said increased revenues from a biennial World Cup could create opportunities for Africans who otherwise may find “death in the sea” crossing the Mediterranean. He later said his address to the Council of Europe, the continent’s leading human rights organisation, had been “misinterpreted” and that he meant that football could …

German sport facing disruption as 4th coronavirus wave hits
3 years, 1 month ago

German sport facing disruption as 4th coronavirus wave hits

The Hindu  

Cancelled games, players in quarantine and arguments over vaccine mandates. “It’s obvious,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann, who himself missed four of the team’s games after contracting COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. Bayern surprisingly lost at Augsburg in Kimmich’s absence on Friday, and there are fears at the club that unvaccinated players could also miss the potentially decisive clash with Borussia …

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino cautious about imposing sanctions on Super League clubs, says he prefers 'dialogue to conflict'
3 years, 8 months ago

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino cautious about imposing sanctions on Super League clubs, says he prefers 'dialogue to conflict'

Firstpost  

Infantino said there were many possible avenues to promote “economic stability” and “competitive balance” in football. Lausanne: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is not in favour of sanctions against the 12 clubs that tried to launch a European Super League, preferring “dialogue” on football reform. “By punishing a club, for example, you are also punishing players, coaches and fans, …

FIFA pledges to take no health risks during World Cup qualifiers
3 years, 11 months ago

FIFA pledges to take no health risks during World Cup qualifiers

The Hindu  

With 3,000 soccer players due to travel internationally for World Cup qualifying games next month, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Monday all will conform to health rules in the coronavirus pandemic. Delays in the 2022 World Cup qualifying program in most continents led FIFA last year to create new games dates next January. A total of 135 teams are …

FIFA backs WHO call for 'fair access to vaccines'
3 years, 11 months ago

FIFA backs WHO call for 'fair access to vaccines'

The Hindu  

Football's governing body FIFA says it is joining with the World Health Organization in its campaign for "fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics". FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen appeared at a WHO news conference on Monday to launch the awareness campaign. We are also calling on the international community to act …

FIFA boss Infantino concerned at delays to World Cup qualifiers - Football news
4 years, 3 months ago

FIFA boss Infantino concerned at delays to World Cup qualifiers - Football news

The Hindu  

The successive postponements to 2022 World Cup qualifiers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are becoming a real problem and a shortening of the format could be a possibility in some cases, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Friday. READ | “I am concerned and it's obviously a real problem, especially if the pandemic doesn't stop or let up, or we …

Germany bars fans from football matches till at least end of October- Football news
4 years, 4 months ago

Germany bars fans from football matches till at least end of October- Football news

The Hindu  

The health ministers of Germany's federal and state governments have agreed to extend a ban for spectators in stadiums at Bundesliga football matches until at least the end of October due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Bundesliga season restarted in mid-May after a suspension of more than two months, becoming the first European league to resume under strict rules to …

Fans across Europe demand change to football’s ‘unsustainable’ model in strong joint statement
4 years, 6 months ago

Fans across Europe demand change to football’s ‘unsustainable’ model in strong joint statement

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Twenty-seven major supporters’ groups across Europe have come …

Brazil clubs Botafogo and Fluminense decide to disobey order to resume competitive football this week as coronavirus pandemic rages
4 years, 6 months ago

Brazil clubs Botafogo and Fluminense decide to disobey order to resume competitive football this week as coronavirus pandemic rages

Firstpost  

Two of Brazil’s top football clubs, Botafogo and Fluminense, said on Tuesday they would defy an order from their federation to resume playing competitively this week, as the country’s daily coronavirus death toll hovers around 1,000. Botafogo president Nelson Mufarrej called the ruling “disconnected from reality”, and both clubs said they planned legal action on health and safety grounds to …

Messi says football will never be the same post coronavirus
4 years, 7 months ago

Messi says football will never be the same post coronavirus

The Hindu  

Lionel Messi believes football will never be the same following the coronavirus pandemic. While the seasons were brought to an end in France and the Netherlands, football in Europe's major leagues is gradually returning behind closed doors. Speaking to El Pais, Messi said: "I don't think football will ever be the same. RELATED| "Beyond the lockdown measures and the whole …

Lionel Messi believes sports fans will have to get used to a new normal in wake of the coronavirus
4 years, 7 months ago

Lionel Messi believes sports fans will have to get used to a new normal in wake of the coronavirus

Daily Mail  

Lionel Messi feels that football and life will 'not be the same again' after the coronavirus pandemic struck the world, with hundreds of thousands falling victim to the deadly virus. The Barcelona forward stressed his frustration for the families and friends that 'couldn't even say goodbye' to loved one who have been lost as the world continues to suffer from …

Brabant football teams monitored to study coronavirus spread in team sports
4 years, 7 months ago

Brabant football teams monitored to study coronavirus spread in team sports

NL Times  

Doctors at the Amphia Hospital in Breda are teaming up with Noord-Brabant football clubs PSV, Willem II, RKC, and NAC to monitor if and how the coronavirus spreads in team sports. The footballers' health will be monitored in the coming months, and if they show symptoms of the coronavirus, the researchers will track down where they got the virus and …

Coronavirus: Players want at least four weeks of training before return – AIC president Tommasi
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: Players want at least four weeks of training before return – AIC president Tommasi

The Hindu  

Italian Footballers' Association president Damiano Tommasi wants players to have at least four weeks of training before resuming the Serie A season. Clubs have been cleared to start team training amid the coronavirus pandemic, although Serie A is not expected to return until at least June 15, with the campaign having been suspended in March. READ: Tommasi said players wanted …

FIFA to organise match to raise funds for fight against COVID-19
4 years, 7 months ago

FIFA to organise match to raise funds for fight against COVID-19

The Hindu  

The FIFA Foundation will organise its first-ever official football match to raise funds for Access to COVID-19 Tools, a global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable global access to new coronavirus essential health technologies, including diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. RELATED| “We have been active in raising awareness via several other campaigns, and FIFA has also contributed financially to …

Coronavirus: Spain needs football for economy– Sergio Ramos
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: Spain needs football for economy– Sergio Ramos

The Hindu  

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said Spain needs football to boost the economy and to distract fans as La Liga eyes a June return following the coronavirus outbreak. Ramos is raring to go, telling Movistar : "Getting going needs time, the country needs football as an economic support and the people need it as a distraction. Germany's Bundesliga will restart …

Coronavirus: Brazilian footballers reject restart, pay cuts amid pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Brazilian footballers reject restart, pay cuts amid pandemic

The Hindu  

Brazilian footballers are protesting lawmakers’ attempts to cut their pay, and some say they will play again only after they are reassured by health authorities. The players’ actions on Monday came as some Brazilian clubs push to restart the season despite the still-spreading coronavirus, which has caused more than 7,000 known deaths. A group of 16 first division players, including …

COVID-19: FIFA medical chief sorry to be the bearer of bad news
4 years, 8 months ago

COVID-19: FIFA medical chief sorry to be the bearer of bad news

The Hindu  

FIFA's top medical officer takes little satisfaction from being the man appealing for restraint from leagues that are desperate to get playing again. Michel D'Hooghe, formerly head of the Belgian football federation and president of Club Brugge, is chair of FIFA's medical committee and has said there should be no return to action before September. "In my opinion, football has …

La Liga: Rakitic ready to take 'risk', says football can't be totally safe
4 years, 8 months ago

La Liga: Rakitic ready to take 'risk', says football can't be totally safe

The Hindu  

Ivan Rakitic has declared he would willingly take the risk of catching coronavirus if it ensured Spanish football could resume. The Barcelona midfielder said it is football's duty to society to "give a feeling of unity that we need so much", with La Liga having been on hold since mid March. Rakitic said he hoped football people, like everyone, would …

FIFA medical chief wary of resuming season amid virus threat
4 years, 8 months ago

FIFA medical chief wary of resuming season amid virus threat

Deccan Chronicle  

London: The chairman of FIFA's medical committee has said he is "sceptical" about restarting league football during the coronavirus pandemic and suggested national competitions concentrate on getting ready for next season instead. But Michel D'Hooghe, the head of global governing body FIFA's medical panel, told the BBC on Tuesday: "My proposal is if it is possible, avoid playing competitive football …

FIFA's medical chief Michel D'Hooghe calls for seasons to end
4 years, 8 months ago

FIFA's medical chief Michel D'Hooghe calls for seasons to end

The Hindu  

FIFA's medical chief Michel D'Hooghe believes there should be no football until the start of next season with concerns over a "second attack" of the coronavirus. The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 campaigns were ended on Tuesday when French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that professional football will not be able to resume before September. This is not a matter …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Pep Guardiola, eight Manchester City players facing 14 days of self-isolation before resuming training
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Pep Guardiola, eight Manchester City players facing 14 days of self-isolation before resuming training

Firstpost  

Guardiola is in Spain following the death of his mother this month, while eight City players are in their home countries Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and at least eight first-team players of the Premier League champions could face 14 days of mandatory self-isolation when they return to Britain for the resumption of matches, the Times newspaper reported. Professional football …

Spanish football season unlikely to resume before summer: health minister
4 years, 8 months ago

Spanish football season unlikely to resume before summer: health minister

Deccan Chronicle  

Madrid: The Spanish soccer season, halted like most major sporting competitions due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, is unlikely to return until the summer, the country’s health minister Salvador Illa said on Sunday. La Liga president Javier Tebas has been bullish about the need to complete the campaign in order to avoid collective losses of up to one billion euros …

Coronavirus: Bundesliga will go under if football doesn't restart soon – Dortmund CEO Watzke
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Bundesliga will go under if football doesn't restart soon – Dortmund CEO Watzke

The Hindu  

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke claimed the Bundesliga "will go under" if the season does not resume in the next few months. The coronavirus pandemic forced the Bundesliga to be postponed last month but there are hopes the league could be allowed to stage games behind closed doors from May 9, although concerns have been raised that fans might …

No guarantee football resumes before summer, says Spanish govt
4 years, 8 months ago

No guarantee football resumes before summer, says Spanish govt

The Hindu  

Spain's health minister Salvador Illa said Sunday it would be “imprudent” to promise the football season would restart before the summer as the country took steps to ease one of the world's toughest coronavirus lockdowns. Read: How Liverpool conquered the FIFA Club World Cup The minister sounded a note of caution over La Liga plans to test players for the …

Coronavirus: Serie A season extended until August 2 by FIGC
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Serie A season extended until August 2 by FIGC

The Hindu  

The 2019-20 Serie A season is to be extended until August 2, the Italian Football Federation announced. READ | It was proposed to UEFA's executive committee that European and domestic competitions run in parallel when a return to play is possible, or all domestic fixtures be completed before continental games resume at the start of August. "The football world is …

Coronavirus: Decision imminent on Italy's return to football
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus: Decision imminent on Italy's return to football

The Hindu  

Italy’s sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said on Wednesday that a decision will be made “in the coming days” on whether Italian football clubs can return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spadafora held a two-hour video-conference on Wednesday with representatives of Italian football, including federation chiefs, professional and amateurs leagues, players and doctors. “I listened with great attention to the …

Coronavirus Outbreak: French football fraternity divided over resumption of league amid COVID-19 crisis
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: French football fraternity divided over resumption of league amid COVID-19 crisis

Firstpost  

Confusion reigns in French football as to whether the league should resume amid the coronavirus pandemic. The co-president of the French professional football players’ union called for the league to stop, while coaches in the top two divisions have expressed diverging opinions whether the 10 remaining games should be played. “For the moment no one knows where we’re heading, taking …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Barcelona great Andres Iniesta says saving human lives more important than football during COVID-19 crisis
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Barcelona great Andres Iniesta says saving human lives more important than football during COVID-19 crisis

Firstpost  

With Spain one of the country’s hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Barcelona great Andres Iniesta says he is finding it tough to watch events unfold in Europe from his new home in Japan. Tokyo: With Spain one of the country’s hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Barcelona great Andres Iniesta says he is finding it tough to watch events …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Bhaichung Bhutia joins Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane in FIFA's video tribute to healthcare workers
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Bhaichung Bhutia joins Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane in FIFA's video tribute to healthcare workers

Firstpost  

Bhutia is among 50 past and present football stars who featured in #WeWillWin campaign of FIFA, a special video to pay tribute to the efforts made by healthcare workers New Delhi: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has joined football greats Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane in applauding healthcare workers and humanity’s other “heroes” for putting their own lives at …

Italian FA hopes for coronavirus testing, return to training in May
4 years, 8 months ago

Italian FA hopes for coronavirus testing, return to training in May

Deccan Chronicle  

Rome: Italy’s football federation hopes that players can be tested for the new coronavirus at the start of May to prepare for the season to restart, its president Gabriele Gravina has said. Italy has been one of the countries hardest hit by the Covid19 pandemic, with 19,899 deaths and 156,363 officially confirmed cases. Gravina told Sky Sport Italia that he …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Italian football federation hoping to resume Serie A in first week of May, says president Gabriele Gravina
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Italian football federation hoping to resume Serie A in first week of May, says president Gabriele Gravina

Firstpost  

Serie A has been suspended since 9 March because of the coronavirus outbreak and it is still not clear when, or if, the season can resume. Rome: Italy’s football federation hopes that players can be tested for the new coronavirus at the start of May to prepare for the season to restart, its president Gabriele Gravina has said. Gravina told …

China's football squad left 'anxious, homesick' by coronavirus
4 years, 8 months ago

China's football squad left 'anxious, homesick' by coronavirus

Deccan Chronicle  

Beijing: China football coach Li Tie has revealed the psychological toll coronavirus took on the national squad during a five-week training camp prolonged by the pandemic. Li's men spent much of March in Dubai, where many Chinese Super League teams also took refuge, before returning home when the outbreak began to subside in China. "With the epidemic situation in Dubai …

Not worth risking human lives for any game: FIFA president Infantino
4 years, 8 months ago

Not worth risking human lives for any game: FIFA president Infantino

Deccan Chronicle  

Leeds: As coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc all across the globe, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said it is not worth putting at risk any human life for any game, competition or league. "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," Goal.com quoted …

Infantino: It would be irresponsible to resume too early
4 years, 8 months ago

Infantino: It would be irresponsible to resume too early

The Hindu  

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said it would be "more than irresponsible" to restart competitions too early amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Bundesliga could restart in May as leagues start to plan and prepare for resumptions, but Infantino warned it would be dangerous to get going again too early. READ | "As our main priority, our principles, the ones we employ …

Coronavirus Outbreak: Bundesliga future still in the air despite teams returning to training
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: Bundesliga future still in the air despite teams returning to training

Firstpost  

Bundesliga was the last of the five major leagues in Europe to suspend play. “It is clear that wherever people come into close contact with each other, at major events such as football games, or in clubs, it will take a long time before normality returns,” Health Minister Jens Spahn said in an interview with the daily Handelsblatt on Thursday. …

Italy begins drawing up medical guidelines for Serie A re-start
4 years, 9 months ago

Italy begins drawing up medical guidelines for Serie A re-start

Deccan Chronicle  

Rome: Italy’s football federation has begun to draw up medical guidelines for a possible re-start of Serie A, which has been suspended since March 9 because of the coronavirus outbreak. The FIGC said that its medical committee held a video conference on Wednesday to “analyse and define a guarantee protocol for football in the event that sporting activities are allowed …

Could coronavirus kill off German football fan power?
4 years, 9 months ago

Could coronavirus kill off German football fan power?

The Hindu  

German football is famed for its vibrant fan culture and member-owned clubs, but as the Bundesliga braces itself for a major financial hit in the coming months, could the coronavirus put an end to fan power? Many clubs are fearing for their financial futures in the crisis, prompting fresh calls to reform the long disputed “50+1” rule, which guarantees supporter …

Coronavirus: Most vulnerable clubs and leagues must be protected – AIC
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Most vulnerable clubs and leagues must be protected – AIC

The Hindu  

The Italian Footballers' Association said the most vulnerable clubs and leagues must be protected amid the coronavirus pandemic, prioritising those at the bottom of Italy's football pyramid. As financial concerns mount, the AIC released a statement which read: "The weekly meeting of the AIC board was held today and, therefore, with the representatives and captains of Serie A. "The non-league …

Football: Suggestions for a post-coronavirus 'reform'
4 years, 9 months ago

Football: Suggestions for a post-coronavirus 'reform'

The Hindu  

Football will eventually return following the coronavirus pandemic, but it could look a little different. The sport's leading competitions have been suspended amid the global crisis, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino this week suggested the pause represented an opportunity to "reform football". French football is ending the Coupe de la Ligue after this season, meaning English football will be the …

Coronavirus: How are football clubs training now?
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: How are football clubs training now?

The Hindu  

Inter Miami captain Luis Robles never imagined his first few months in South Florida would be like this. “It’s an unprecedented situation and it’s really tough at times to find a place to train but the most important thing is to continue to follow the guidelines from health officials,” Robles said during a conference call on Wednesday. For me it’s …

Coronavirus: Cannavaro doubts football will resume before May
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Cannavaro doubts football will resume before May

The Hindu  

Fabio Cannavaro believes it will be difficult for European football to return before the season ends amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Champions League and Europa League finals have also been postponed, with Euro 2020 pushed back to next year following more than 18,800 deaths worldwide – over 9,800 of the casualties from Italy and Spain. READ | Former Italy, Juventus …

Coronavirus: Premier League, FA and FIFA must unite to rescue game
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: Premier League, FA and FIFA must unite to rescue game

The Hindu  

Football's most powerful leaders must set aside their differences to rescue the game from its coronavirus crisis, a leading expert has said. In an interview with Stats Perform, Cramer explained: "All the chief executives, the power-brokers within sport, will want to see everybody within their league or their own particular sector trying to agree on a unanimous basis, because what …

Infantino: Fighting coronavirus is priority at the moment
4 years, 9 months ago

Infantino: Fighting coronavirus is priority at the moment

The Hindu  

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in a video statement, spoke about the current situation with coronavirus and its impact on football and how fighting the virus was the top priority at the moment. Football comes second, first we have to win this match against coronavirus and then we will deal with football matters," he added. Infantino's comments come a day after …

COVID-19: Chhetri chosen for FIFA campaign alongside Messi
4 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19: Chhetri chosen for FIFA campaign alongside Messi

The Hindu  

Talismanic India football captain Sunil Chhetri has been picked by FIFA along with 28 past and present stars for world governing body’s awareness campaign to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. FIFA and the World Health Organization have teamed up to combat the coronavirus by launching a new awareness campaign led by world-renowned footballers, who are calling on all people around the …

FIFA chief Infantino eyes football reboot to avoid crisis
4 years, 9 months ago

FIFA chief Infantino eyes football reboot to avoid crisis

The Hindu  

The future of football could be fewer games and fewer top competitions to help avoid a financial crisis, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a newspaper interview published Monday. With football around the world in near-total shutdown and no end in sight because of the coronavirus pandemic, Infantino said the sport risked going into recession. "Maybe we can reform world …

La Liga indefinitely suspended as coronavirus crisis worsens in Spain
4 years, 9 months ago

La Liga indefinitely suspended as coronavirus crisis worsens in Spain

India Today  

The Spanish football calendar has been postponed until further notice, La Liga and the Spanish football federation said in a joint statement on Monday. The statement said a joint commission between the two bodies had agreed to postpone all professional soccer competitions until the Spanish government considered they could start again "without creating any health risk". RFEF chief Luis Rubiales …

Coronavirus pandemic: Football could see mass layoffs due to economic crisis caused by virus outbreak, warns FIFPRO
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus pandemic: Football could see mass layoffs due to economic crisis caused by virus outbreak, warns FIFPRO

Firstpost  

Professional football has been wiped off the map for weeks, maybe months, after all the major leagues, cups and international competitions were suspended, culminating in the postponement of Euro 2020 and Copa America on Tuesday. Football is facing its first economic crisis for decades with the prospect of mass layoffs of players if nothing is done to bail out clubs …

Coronavirus pandemic: Club World Cup could be pushed back upto 2023 to accomodate Euros, Copa America says FIFA president Gianni Infantino
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus pandemic: Club World Cup could be pushed back upto 2023 to accomodate Euros, Copa America says FIFA president Gianni Infantino

Firstpost  

Next year’s Club World Cup, scheduled for 17 June – 4 July, would be the biggest so far, taking place across eight Chinese cities. Manchester: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the planned 2021 Club World Cup dates should be moved by the governing body of world soccer to make way for the postponed Euro 2020 Championship and the Copa America, …

FIFA backs Euro, Copa America postponements, Infantino
4 years, 9 months ago

FIFA backs Euro, Copa America postponements, Infantino

The Hindu  

FIFA is backing the decisions to move Euro 2020 and the Copa America to next year amid the coronavirus pandemic. FIFA will convene a conference call with Council members on Wednesday where president Gianni Infantino will call for the revised Euro and Copa America dates to be accepted. READ | Infantino said member nations will also try “to decide at …

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