ZURICH (Switzerland), Every single country in Africa has applied to Fifa to access a grant through the world governing body’s COVID-19 Relief Plan. Formally approved in June, the Fifa fund is making US$1.5 billion available to its 211 member associations and six confederations. On Wednesday, Fifa announced that it believes the coronavirus pandemic has cost the global football economy an estimated 14 billion US dollars. “54 African member associations have applied for grants,” a Fifa spokesperson said. Fifa has revealed that over 150 countries have already applied for the scheme,…
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Cameroon Declines Hosting Africa Champions League, Blames COVID-19
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON – Soccer fans in Cameroon voiced disappointment after the government announced Monday it would not host the finals of the 2020 African Champions League in September. The government cites the risk posed by COVID-19. Some fans say they understand, while others question if the infection is the real reason. Mbombo Njoya, president of Cameroon’s Football Association FECAFOOT, says a recent spike in COVID-19 made the government decide not to host the continental event. The disease is caused by the coronavirus. “I have informed CAF that the government has…
Read MoreUgandan Top Runners Struggle to Train for Tokyo Olympics During Pandemic
KAMPALA, UGANDA – The coronavirus pandemic has some top-flight athletes struggling to stay sharp for next year’s Tokyo Olympics after training facilities were shut down and competitions cancelled. Ugandan runner Halima Nakaayi, the gold medalist in the 800 meters at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, is doing her best to prepare under the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. With the games postponed and Uganda’s gyms and stadiums closed since March to curb the spread of COVID-19, her only option is Kampala’s open roads. But the 25-year-old runner said training at home…
Read MoreFIFA, WHO and football stakeholders draft medical considerations and risk assessment tool
FIFA is sharing a football risk assessment tool with its 211 member associations, the six continental confederations and other stakeholders in order to facilitate the planning of the resumption of football activities by competition and match organisers, as soon as health authorities and governments consider it safe. It has been developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), UEFA, the European Club Association (ECA), FIFPRO, the World Leagues Forum and European Leagues, includes a list of mitigation measures that aim to reduce the overall risk of mass gatherings contributing…
Read MoreTunisia announce roadmap for return to competitions in August
The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) has sent out a guideline to all Ligue 1 and some Ligue 2 clubs, in preparation to resuming the football season. The Tunisian football league has been suspended since mid-March 2020 due to COVID-19. FTF has ended the second-tier Ligue 2 season with the exception of teams concerned with promotion and relegation. The federation has announced playoff tournaments to determine relegation to Ligue 3 and promotion to Ligue 2. As far as Ligue 1 is concerned, FTF earlier proposed a plan has now received the…
Read MoreCAF fast-tracks disbursement of financial aid to Member Associations
At its meeting on Thursday (28 May 2020) via video-conference, the CAF Emergency Committee has approved the immediate distribution of financial grants to Member Associations (MA) to support the management of football at the domestic levels hugely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of USD 10.8 Million will be transferred to the 54 MA’s on the continent as part of a relief plan to ease the financial burden on the African football community during these unprecedented times. “Due to the fast-spread of COVID-19, African MA’s have suspended all domestic…
Read MoreKenya announces financial support to players
The Kenyan government on Tuesday announced that 12 needy Kenyan premier League clubs are set to receive a monthly stipend of 100USD (Ksh10,000) for the next two months with the possibility of an extension to three, in a bid to aid them cushion from the effects of the COVID-19 endemic. Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed says they picked 12 needy clubs from the 18-team league to kick start the process which will be reviewed for any case of improvement. “We are going to release Sh10,000 per month for 30 players…
Read MoreAfrica mourns sudden passing of Cameroonian youngster Bouasse
The world of football is mourning the sudden demise of Cameroonian youngster Joseph Bouasse who tragically passed away on the night of May 21 after suffering a cardiac arrest. The young Cameroonian was part of AS Roma’s Academy in 2016 after being scouted the previous year. He made his professional debut for Serie B side Vicenza while on loan from Roma in 2017. And prior to his passing, he played for Romanian club Universitatea Cluj, having signed for them in February. Tributes flowed freely on social media from friends, football…
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