FIFA & UEFA medical experts voice opposing opinions on restarting football during the Covid-19 crisis
FIFA vs UEFA
Football’s two major governing bodies – FIFA and UEFA – are offering confusing advice on whether football can restart during the Covid-19 crisis.
On Wednesday, the Swiss Super League received the green light to return to action on June 8.
That’s put Switzerland on the same path as the German Bundesliga.
On the other side of the scale, however, the French 2019-20 Ligue 1 and 2 seasons have been shelved after orders from their government.
Belgium and Holland have previously confirmed that their domestic seasons are also over.
FIFA’s Michel D’Hooghe: Don’t play football
Earlier in the week, FIFA’s medical committee chairman Michel D’Hooghe publicly stated his belief that football should be halted during this Covid-19 crisis.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Tuesday, D’Hooghe expressed his view that football – which is a contact sport – cannot resume until social distancing measures are relaxed.
D’Hooghe voiced his belief that football could be suspended until September. He said:
The world is not ready for competitive football, I hope this can change very quickly and I sincerely hope that. Today you need more patience.
Football can only be possible if contact is possible again. Football remains a contact sport and avoiding contact is one of the first things everyone says is that you should avoid contact.
NEW: Strong interview with FIFA medical chief Dr Michel D’Hooghe. Doesn’t want football to return before Sept 1 – “This is the most dramatic situation we have lived in since the Second World War.” More on @SkySportsNews #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/rD77YY5I8w
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) April 28, 2020
UEFA’s Tim Meyer: Definitely possible to finish 2019-20 seasons
On Wednesday, UEFA medical chief Tim Meyer offered a far more optimistic view on when football could return to action.
Tim Meyer said it’s “definitely possible” to plan for the suspended 2019-20 season to restart.
Meyer explained his position in the following statement:
All football organisations which are planning the restart of their competitions will produce comprehensive protocols dictating sanitary and operational conditions ensuring that the health of those involved in the games is protected and the integrity of public policy is preserved.
Under these conditions and in full respect of local legislation, it is definitely possible to plan the restart of competitions suspended during the 2019-20 season.
The same Tim Meyer who headed the #Bundesliga's task force? That came up with the medical plans to restart the season as soon as possible… https://t.co/DMkYnoRa9x
— Jonathan Crane (@jonathancrane5) April 29, 2020
Also see: Best Netflix, Amazon & YouTube football documentaries & movies to watch during coronavirus isolation
9 best football documentaries to watch on ESPN+ during COVID-19 quarantine
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