GFA set to benefit financially from FIFA Covid-19 fund

The Ghana Football Association is in line to receive some financial assistance from FIFA, as the world football governing body plans to set up a fund to mitigate the financial implications of the Covid-19 crisis.

The novel Coronavirus pandemic has decimated football with leagues around the world suspended and major tournaments postponed. Individuals and organisations at every level of the game are counting the cost of the pandemic.

Over here in Ghana, the GFA has been engaging government on how they can render some support to the football fraternity.

As the cry for support intensifies, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised to make money available from the world governing body’s reserve funds to all member associates and respective organisations.

This means the Ghana Football Association like other respective national federations/associations stand to benefit from the soon to be set up fund.

According to Infantino, FIFA must now look at the best way it can help mitigate the financial impact of the CoronaVirus shutdown on football.

He said, “FIFA enjoys a good reputation on the financial markets. This has helped us consolidate a solid foundation with large reserves.

“But our reserves are not FIFA’s money – it is football’s money. So when football is in need, we must think what we can do to help. It is our responsibility and our duty.”

Infantino said a consultation process has already begun to assess the financial impact across football with a view to creating a fund with an independent governance structure.

The FIFA president said: “You have to know that we will be there and we will find solutions together.

“You will never be alone. The world will know where the money goes and, equally important, why the money goes there.”