FIFA Provides $1.5b Coronavirus Relief Fund For Football Associations


According to reports by Sports Central that FIFA will provide grants and loans of $1.5 billion (€1.34 million) as aid funds to help associations affected by the coronavirus, as announced by the World Association of football.


The FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the aid fund had been "unanimously approved" by members of his board and stressed that there would be "strict controls" on how the money will be spent.


The 211 member associations, including the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), are entitled to a “basic solidarity grant” of $1m (approximately 890,000) and $500,000 (445,000), respectively, which will be invested in women's football.


In addition, member associations can apply for a COVID-19 relief loan of 35% up to a maximum of $5 million each. Continental governing bodies will receive a grant of $2 million ($1.78 million) and may also request an additional loan of $4 million ($ 3.57 million).


Infantino promised "strict controls on the use of funds with audits" and said there would be "very clear conditions" for the repayment of loans. He also stated that FIFA finances the huge aid fund by dipping into its reserves, with $328 million (€292 million) covers grants and $556 million (€ 495 million) to finance loans.


Infantino said: “Clubs and federations are really in danger, football has not restarted in some parts of the world. We have to help them.


FIFA announced the creation of the relief fund in March, when football was stopped in large parts of the world due to the spread of the pandemic. The Zurich-based body had already announced in April that it would release grants of $150m (€133.7m) to member associations to cope with the consequences of the crisis.


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