'Nobody knows' when football can resume, says FIFA's Infantino

Like most other sports, football across the world has been largely halted by the pandemic, which to date has infected nearly a million people and killed more than 47,000.

Asuncion: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Friday insisted that football is "going to be different” once it will return. However, he also said that "nobody knows" when football can resume around the world.

He said that because of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, for once football "is not the most important thing".

COVID-19 Impact on Football.

"We all wish that we could have football tomorrow but unfortunately it's not possible and nobody in the world today knows when we will be able to play like before," Infantino told South American football chiefs via video link on Thursday.

"Our world and our sport is going to be different when we return to normality. We have to make sure that football survives and that it can prosper once again."

Gianni Infantino

Like most other sports, football across the world has been largely halted by the pandemic, which to date has infected nearly a million people and killed more than 47,000.

In his message, Infantino said that "these are times of respect for those who suffer and for those who are helping".

"For the first time, football is not the most important thing! Health comes first and must continue until this disease is defeated.”

Infantino was speaking by video link to a CONMEBOL Congress in Paraguay.