JAKARTA - The world soccer body FIFA is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the COVID-19 pandemic or the corona virus. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for teamwork to tackle this crisis.
Infantino joined WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a media conference on Monday 23 March to launch a video campaign "feed the message to kick the coronavirus".
"We need teamwork to fight the corona virus," Infantino said as quoted by FIFA's official title, Tuesday.
Infantino emphasized, "FIFA is cooperating with WHO because health is the main thing." He called on the football community around the world to join him in supporting this campaign to convey the message even further.
Some of the greatest players who have played beautiful football, said Infantino, are involved in this campaign and are united in their desire to feed the message to kick COVID-19.
Twenty-eight players, including Argentina forward Lionel Messi, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker supported an initiative aimed at strengthening WHO's five guidelines on stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
They all appear in video clips that convey reminders not to forget about washing hands, sneezing etiquette, keeping your distance, touching your face, and what to do if you experience symptoms.
"This virus is a global problem and shows us two things. First, how vulnerable we are and second, how globalized the world is. Extraordinary situations require extraordinary steps and global problems require global solutions," Infantino said.
He continued, "We must be strong and follow the guidelines of the WHO and our government. After that, we must rebuild our relationship with perhaps, and hopefully, more solidarity and understanding between us. Football is ready to play its part in that."
FIFA has pledged US $ 10 million in aid to support the WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
The biggest soccer leagues in the world have all been suspended due to the pandemic which has infected at least 300,000 people worldwide.
The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament has been postponed to be held next year. Meanwhile, the Champions League and Europa League finals were postponed indefinitely.
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