The Federation Internationale Football Association (FIFA), in consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO) experts and football stakeholders have developed a document on medical recommendations and risk assessment which may be used as guide to the return to football activity with the aim of reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection during the activities.
The document was circulated by FIFA to its 211-member associations, six (6) continental confederations, and other stakeholders. FIFA’s Medical Working Group is composed of two (2) FIFA medical leads, medical representatives representing the six (6) confederations, and external consultants. FIFA also availed of inputs from WHO medical experts.
The aim is to consider the health of all participants in all footballing activities to resume safely in both professional and amateur levels. The recommendations are meant to be implemented in conjunction with the international guidelines and national implementations on public health and mass gatherings.
FIFA reiterated that the return to play should be based on objective health information to ensure that activities are conducted safely and do not risk increased local COVID-19 transmission rates.
PFF hopes for the gradual return of football activity once the quarantine measures have eased. It has drafted a set of protocols for the possible resumption of the Philippines Football League (PFL). The protocols have been submitted to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) for its evaluation and endorsement to the Government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) for evaluation and/or approval.
PFF undertakes to work closely with the various government agencies for the gradual return of football by starting with resumption of the professional league under strict health and safety protocols as maybe approved by the concerned national government agencies.