April 21 – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reportedly advised UEFA that football should not return to action until the end of next season in light of the coronavirus.
According to Italian paper La Repubblica, the WHO discussed the idea during a conference call with European governing body UEFA. The WHO has been at the forefront of the global combat against the coronavirus pandemic and is believed to have told UEFA that no (international) football should take place until the end of next season, considering the implications of a potential second wave of the coronavirus.
UEFA have reportedly denied that the WHO recommended a suspension of the entire 2020/21 season.
With football reeling from the global shutdown of the game, leagues and clubs are looking for ways to move forward. Others have however reconsidered the season. On Tuesday, it emerged that the Dutch topflight will not return to action this season and at the weekend India cancelled the rest of the I-League. Previously, the Belgian league recommended that the league be cancelled, but a final decision has been postponed.
Insideworldfootball understands that the WHO also cautioned the International Olympic Committee against planning too far ahead as long as a vaccine against the coronavirus does not become available. The IOC were forced to postpone the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo by a year following the outbreak of the coronavirus.
FIFA, who have been working closely with the WHO, said, via a spokesperson, that they were not aware of having received similar advice.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunit, at moc.l1713917403labto1713917403ofdlr1713917403owedi1713917403sni@o1713917403fni1713917403