Paris (AFP)

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has decided to advance certain payments to federations to deal with the crisis caused by the coronavirus, the body announced in a press release Friday, while unveiling some details on a future football aid fund .

Thus, "the payment of the second part of the operational costs of the member associations of the Forward program, planned for the second semester" is advanced "to deal with the most urgent financial problems", explains the international federation.

The Forward program, launched in 2016 by Mr. Infantino, provides assistance to all federations, totaling $ 1.746 billion (approximately 1.6 billion euros) spread over the period 2019-2022.

The "additional criteria" for obtaining all of the payments for this program in 2019 and 2020 will also be deleted, the body said.

"You must know that we will not abandon you and that we will find solutions together. You will never be alone ... Everyone will know where the money is going. And, above all, you will know why these sums are allocated here and there", Gianni Infantino said in a video sent to 211 member associations of Fifa.

He explains that consultations were held to "prepare an appropriate response, using a fund with an independent governance structure" which should be specified.

As for the question of the timing of the recovery, Mr. Infantino remained elusive, emphasizing the importance of health.

"No match, no competition, no Championship deserves to be sacrificed for even a lifetime. It would be completely irresponsible to resume competitions if the situation is not one hundred percent secure," he said. it detailed.

At the start of the week, Fifa also said it was "flexible" on more legal and social issues, recommending finding wage agreements in clubs, financially weakened, and postponing the summer transfer window and possible endings. contracts to be able to end the season.

© 2020 AFP