FIFA’s cash helps clubs

As the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic ripple across world football, FIFA sees a “duty” to offer a lifeline from its vast cash reserves.

Talks are underway about how the governing body’s support fund will be distributed, with the global players’ union appealing for cash to be targeted at the smaller markets, rather than the elite end of the game.

No part of the world’s biggest sport has been untouched by the rapid spread of the COVID-19 disease as games have been wiped out across professional leagues.

Barcelona and Juventus players have taken pay cuts, former Slovakian champion Zilina is entering liquidation and staff were being furloughed across the game worldwide, including Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez and hundreds of his federation colleagues.

Now FIFA is trying to show why it has amassed reserves it last reported at $2.745 billion, to help soccer when it is most in need.

“FIFA is in a strong financial situation and it’s our duty to do the utmost to help them in their hour of need,” world football’s governing body said in a statement to The Associated Press on March 31.

“FIFA is working on possibilities to provide assistance to the football community around the world after making a comprehensive assessment of the financial impact this pandemic will have on football.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his vice presidents first agreed two weeks ago to explore a “support fund,” and now talks are being expanded across the six regional confederations and member associations to determine the mechanism to distribute the cash.

It should be aimed at the most vulnerable in smaller soccer markets, according to FIFPro general secretary Jonas BaerHoffmann, who represents 65,000 members in national player unions worldwide.