DUSHANBE, 19.09.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – The 70th FIFA Congress, which was supposed to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was held online yesterday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Vice-Presidents of the Football Federation of Tajikistan (FFT) Dilshod Jurazoda and Alisher Urunov attended the Congress.

FIFA has increased its investment in the development of the sport fivefold, despite the coronavirus pandemic. This was stated by the president of the organization Gianni Infantino.

“We were able to increase investment in football fivefold. We were able to save significant funds that are useful to us now. FIFA is not facing a crisis, but football is. The money goes where it has to go: to football, and to help football,” said the FIFA President.

FIFA recognized 2019 as a financially successful year for the organization; forecasts were exceeded by 6 percent. This was stated at the FIFA Congress by the chairman of the organization’s financial committee Alejandro Dominguez.

“2019 was a successful year, exceeding forecasts by 6%. Reserves — $ 2.5 billion. FIFA’s financial position remains very stable,” said Dominguez.

Members of the FIFA Congress voted unanimously to revise the budget for 2019-2022 as well as for 2021.

“COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of competitions scheduled for 2020. Revenues are expected to fall by more than 200 million,” said FIFA Chief Financial Officer Thomas Peyer.

Due to the pandemic, the 2021 Confederations Cup and the 2020 Club World Cup were canceled.

The next FIFA Congress will take place in Tokyo. Next year Japan Football Association will mark the 100th anniversary of its founding.