DAVID GOMBE
The Federation of International Football Association has estimated that football around the world will lose out on almost $14billion in revenue because of the deadly global coronavirus pandemic.
That figure accounts for about a third of the game’s global economic value with the club and national game worth about $46bn worldwide.
The pandemic has already led to more than 150 football associations seeking financial help from the $1.5bn emergency relief fund set up by football’s governing body.
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Chairman of FIFA’s Coronavirus steering committee Olli Rehn confirmed the impact of the pandemic on the game through fixture list chaos, empty stadiums and loss of TV rights revenue
“It’s a huge number and it covers the football economy in its entirety, including all youth academies,” he said. “This will impact next year as well, there is a carry over. That is why this Covid-19 relief fund is not time bound, they may request loans later on if they need to.” Revealed Rehn who is also a Finnish Politician and governor of the bank of Finland.
Each national association can request a FIFA grant of $1m ($2m for confederations) plus $500,000 for women’s football.
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Loans are available to national associations up to a maximum value of $5m, while confederations can apply for loans up to $4m.
