鈥楴o match worth risking a life鈥�, says FIFA boss Infantino

鈥淥ur first priority, our principle, the one we will use for our competitions and encourage everyone to follow is that health comes first,鈥� Infantino said in a video message. (File/AFP)
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  • The majority of top football leagues and international competitions have been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak
  • Infantino insisted that games would not resume until it was safe

ZURICH: FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday said that 鈥渘o match鈥� is worth 鈥渞isking a single human life鈥� and that world football鈥檚 governing body would be able to help financially national federations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The majority of top football leagues and international competitions have been suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Infantino insisted that games would not resume until it was safe.
鈥淥ur first priority, our principle, the one we will use for our competitions and encourage everyone to follow is that health comes first,鈥� he said in a video message.
鈥淚 cannot stress this enough. No match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human life.鈥�
The German Bundesliga reportedly could restart behind closed doors in May, with players already back in training, while other leagues could also resume in the summer.
鈥淚t would be more than irresponsible to force competitions to resume if things are not 100% safe,鈥� added Infantino.
鈥淚f we have to wait a little longer we must do so. It鈥檚 better to wait a little bit longer than to take any risks.鈥�
Infantino said that national football associations which are struggling financially would receive help from FIFA鈥檚 emergency relief fund.
FIFA last week postponed all international matches scheduled for June.
鈥淲e are today in a very strong financial situation,鈥� Infantino said.
鈥淏ut our reserves are not FIFA鈥檚 money. It is football鈥檚 money. So when football is in need, we must think what we can do to help... It is our responsibility and our duty.鈥�