FIFA Gives Member Ultimatum

FIFA Gives Member Ultimatum

By Editor

It appears FIFA has run out of patience over the pending conclusion of the football season in some member associations after the world football governing body reportedly set August 25 as the deadline for countries to decide on the fate of the current season.

A source close to the matter asserted that the Federation of International Football Association has already communicated the decision to member associations, as they plan to take a unanimous decision if countries fail to adhere to the advice.

“EFA has to take a decision soon over the fate of the current season after they received correspondence from FIFA telling them to decide on the current season before month-end. EFA will meet in three weeks’ time on August 20 to take the final decision,” the source said.

Eswatini Football Association Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said they were still to get an official correspondence from the world football governing body when reached.

“I am not in office since it's a weekend to check on whether there is any formal correspondence from FIFA or not," he said.

The Premier League of Eswatini was left with eight games to conclude the current MTN Premier League season when football activities were suspended in March.

Eight teams were also expected to battle it out in the quarter finals of the prestigious EswatiniBank Cup.

It should be noted that FIFA recently released a US$500 000 grant to each of the 211 members to help mitigate the effects of the deadly coronavirus.

A number of in the Southern Africa countries a have already cancelled their unfinished football seasons as a response to the effects of COVI-19 since soccer is regarded as one of the contact sports that can perpetuate the spread of the virus.

Some of such countries are Botswana, Lesotho, Angola and Mauritius to mention a few. Neighbours South Africa has set the weekend of August 8 to resume their football action, albeit without supporters.