The global sports community has stepped up its efforts to contribute to public health and safety measures including the suspension of competitions in primary football markets. Furthermore, a growing number of international football stakeholders have requested a suspension of international qualification or friendly matches.
As the first professional players test positive for COVID-19, we continue consultations with our member unions, members of the FIFPRO Global Player Council and player unions from different sports. It is evident that concerns of players regarding ongoing competitions, their personal health and general match day operations have increased significantly.
FIFPRO fully supports players and their unions in their right to stop playing in the current environment and calls on the relevant authorities to protect players through harmonized decisions on still ongoing competitions as soon as possible. As the situation is subject to rapid development, all decisions require constant assessment.
As well as continuous communication with players and player associations, FIFPRO is in dialogue with confederations, clubs and leagues. We will participate in a meeting on Tuesday with UEFA, ECA and European Leagues with a view to agreeing to a united response to the pandemic by the European football industry.
On behalf of players in Europe, the joint assessment will need to consider further health protection, financial support mechanisms and consolidated future planning with regards to the football calendar. We strongly advocate for similar international coordination effort across confederations at FIFA level.
