FIFA to give members $150m of virus relief funds

FIFA will release USD 150 million (139 million euros) to its member football associations to help handle financial troubles caused by coronavirus, global governing body said on Friday. FIFA said that "all operational funding" for 2019 and 2020 would be distributed amongst 211 member associations in next few days "as first step of a relief plan to assist football community impacted by COVID-19 pandemic". Each national governing body will receive $500,000, that FIFA says would rmally be delivered "upon fulfullment of specific criteria", but will release those funds and any "remaining entitlement for 2019 and 2020".

FIFA to give members $150m 

FIFA president Gianni Infanti said that funds were "first step of a far-reaching financial relief plan we are developing to respond to emergency across whole football community".

"It is FIFA's duty to be re and support ones that are facing acute needs," ded Infanti. 

"This starts by providing immediate financial assistance to our member associations, many of which are experiencing severe financial distress." 

funds come from Forward 2.0 programme, which was launched in 2016 and will provide $1.746 billion (around 1.6 billion euros) in total over 2019-2022 period. Last month FIFA anunced creation of a football aid fund but it has since t given any ditional details on its operation or scope. 

Im credits: AP