SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, (THEWILL) – Michel d’Hooghe, chief doctor of world soccer governing body, FIFA, has warned against the return of football anytime soon due to the continuous threat of COVID-19.
D’Hooghe, who doubles as chairman of FIFA’s medical committee, gave the warning during an interview with BBC saying governing bodies should rather prepare for action next season because “there is a risk and it is not a risk that has small consequences.”
“My proposal is if it is possible, avoid playing competitive football in the coming weeks. Try to be prepared for the start of good competition next season,” he said.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people to practice social distancing and avoid nasal droplets, among many other preventive measures, in a bid to stop spread of the novel coronavirus which could be difficult to practice in football, a contact sport.
“How will you avoid direct contact?,” the doctor quipped.
“For the moment the criteria means it is absolutely difficult to say that we can play competitive football and believe me I regret it profoundly because I am a football man.
“I am a little bit afraid that to have a complete solution, we will have to wait until we have a vaccination programme, but I think the time has come now to think of some hygienic rules.
“For instance to avoid spitting, why do we have to see that in football and not other sports? This is one of the things we have to consider because this is a real danger in the future.”
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