FIFA ratifies $1.5 billion coronavirus relief plan

All of the 211 FIFA member associations will receive a $1 million grant to protect and restart football and can access interest-free loans of up to $5 million.

FIFA expects to make the funds available by January 2021.

FIFA has ratified a coronavirus relief plan that will make $1.5 billion available to football communities and national associations around the world.

All of the 211 FIFA member associations will receive a $1 million grant to protect and restart football and can access interest-free loans of up to $5 million.

Each member association will also receive an additional $500,000 grant for women’s soccer during the plan’s third phase.

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The massive spending plan aims to help men’s and women’s professional soccer as well as youth and grassroots soccer through a system of grants and loans.

Each of the six soccer confederations will also receive a grant of $2 million.

FIFA expects to make the funds available by January 2021. “This relief plan is a great example of football’s solidarity and commitment in such unprecedented times, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

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Filing reports

FIFA said in a statement that associations “will be able to use the funds for activities such as the restart of competitions, the implementation of return-to-play protocols, the participation of national teams in competitions, the hiring and re-hiring of staff, the maintenance of football infrastructure, and general administration and operating costs.”

Applicants must file reports proving their pandemic-related losses or needs and must specify how they plan to use the funds.

For women’s grants, associations must commit “to including the development of a women’s football strategy or the inclusion of a women’s football strategy with relevant details in its strategic plan.”

“Each member association that applies for the Women’s Football Grant has to subsequently provide FIFA with a report on the use of the Women’s Football Grant and the delivery on respective commitments signed and agreed with FIFA,” the regulations state.