Fifa warn Premier League not to rush season return after coronavirus delay and ‘not to risk human life’
FIFA have warned English football bosses they would be irresponsible if they rushed back into action before it is totally safe for the players and fans.
Premier League and EFL officials are desperate to resume playing as soon as possible after the Coronavirus lockdown in order to finish their seasons.
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Clubs fear going to the wall unless they can start playing again soon and are trying to come up with a plan to fulfil the fixtures in order not to take a major financial hit from lost TV revenue.
But Fifa president Gianni Infantino has told leagues across the world it would be hugely reckless speeding back to match action until Covid-19 was no longer a danger.
Infantino said: “Our first priority, our principle, the one we will use for our competitions and encourage everyone to follow is that health comes first.
“I cannot stress this enough. No match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human life.
“Everyone in the world should have this very clear in their mind.
“It would be more than irresponsible to force competitions to resume if things are not 100% safe.
“If we have to wait a little longer we must do so. It’s better to wait a little bit longer than to take any risks.”
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Both competitions in England are currently suspended indefinitely, and no clubs are likely to come close to resuming any type of group training before May.
But Premier League chief Richard Masters this week warned that failure to complete the current campaign would cost over £1billion to the clubs in the top flight.
There is even greater concern among clubs in the EFL who have seen revenue dry up completely amid fears some could go bust unless there is a clear sight of a return to playing over the coming few weeks.
