Introductory remarks.
Ladies and gentlemen journalists,
It is with pleasure that I welcome you to the FECAFOOT conference room the day after the Executive Committee session held yesterday in this same room.
I am all the more happy to see you again in view of the difficult period which the world is going through because of the macabre Covid-19 which has torn from life so many people who were dear to us. In the world of football, we regret the departure for eternity of several major players. We have, moreover, in respect of their memory, observed a minute of silence during our meetings yesterday.
The Covid-19 pandemic has not only taken lives, it has negatively affected all areas of life for people around the world. Football is deeply affected by this, as you have seen with the postponement, cessation or cancellation of competitions in most federations or confederations. This reality, which no one had foreseen, did not leave FIFA indifferent. In June 2020, the FIFA Council approved a support plan for member associations, including FECAFOOT.
This operation initially resulted in an immediate contribution of all the remaining 2019 and 2020 funds for operational costs under the current Forward 2.0 program. Then, in a second step, by helping our institution and the football community as a whole. This assistance amounts to 1.5 million US dollars, 1 million for professional and amateur male football and 500 000 US dollars for female football.
The possible allocations for this aid have been defined by FIFA itself and it would be interesting to remind you of them. The resources made available can be used for the resumption of competitions, the implementation of health protocols for returning to stadiums, the remuneration of employees, the maintenance of football infrastructures or even general administrative and operational costs. .
In the name of the transparency that I had announced around this special Covid-19 support from FIFA, the envelope expected by FECAFOOT was subject to a distribution key agreed during the Executive Committee session on July 15, 2020 Thus, we have decided that most of the funds will be allocated to the clubs and a residual part of the operating expenses of FECAFOOT. It is important to indicate that the funds will be released after approval of the distribution key by FIFA.
The beneficiaries are professional clubs, amateur clubs in regional and departmental leagues, clubs in the Cameroon Youth Football League and first and second division women’s football clubs.
It is important to note that out of the million dollars allocated to men’s football, only 500,000 dollars will be granted as of this month of July, the release of the other 500,000 dollars is subject to the approval of the employment account of the first tranche. and available in January 2021. The 500,000 dollars of women’s football will be immediately and fully available this month after approval of the distribution key by FIFA, but will be just as audited.
You will understand, true to its requirements of good governance, FIFA requires that all of the expenses of its special Covid-19 support be accompanied by supporting documents provided by the beneficiaries. The same system of accountability prevails in the use of Forward funds. We therefore call on the beneficiaries not to lose sight of the obligation to justify the use of the funds which will be made available to them.
As you know, apart from FIFA, the African Football Confederation has also announced the implementation of a special Covid-19 aid plan for its member associations. This aid will also be subject to a rational, fair and transparent distribution when the time comes by the Executive Committee of FECAFOOT.
On behalf of the Executive Committee and all of the Cameroonian football players, I would like to thank FIFA for its act of solidarity for our federation in these times when we need it the most.
Ladies and gentlemen, women and men of the media,
Thank you once again for having made the trip to FECAFOOT today and am ready to answer your questions.
Source:fecafoot-officiel.com
