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FIFA outlines three key priorities in coronavirus battle

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has outlined his three immediate priorities to support football during the coronavirus pandemic: peoples' health, funding clubs in time of crisis and a plan for the future.

Infantino said that world football's governing body is ready to use its cash reserves to help clubs fight the growing financial concerns surrounding the sport. FIFA last reported cash reserves of $2.7 billion.

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"We [FIFA] are today in a very strong financial situation," Infantino said. "FIFA enjoys a good reputation on the financial market. 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.

"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."

The FIFA president also said that the organisation is working to gain a clearer a picture around how the sport will look like after the crisis.

Infantino said that the consultation process is already underway to assess the financial impact across the sport, but he insisted that restarting play is secondary to the health of all those involved.

The pandemic has decimated the world football calendar, with all of Europe's major leagues on hold. Football in England, Spain, France and Germany has been postponed indefinitely, while the Italian Serie A is suspended until at least April 13.

"Our first priority, our principle, the one we will use for our competitions and encourage everyone to follow is that health comes first," he added. "I cannot stress this enough. No match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human life.

"Everyone in the world should have this very clear in their mind. It would be more than irresponsible to force competitions to resume if things are not 100% safe. If we have to wait a little longer we must do so. It's better to wait a little bit longer than to take any risks."