A guide to FIFA’s COVID-19 guidelines and their effects on Indian football clubs

The severe threat to public health posed by the rapid spread of Covid-19 has forced governments across the globe to implement various measures to tackle the outbreak. Normal routine, economic and social activities have been disrupted, with governments having to resort to measures such as travel restrictions, lockdowns and social distancing, to combat the outbreak. Characterised as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March, 2020,[1] the ensuing period has seen an almost total suspension of sporting activity, including football activity, across the world due to Covid-19.

In India, following advisories issued by the Indian government, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to suspend all football activity in the country with effect from 15 March, 2020.[2] Considering the unprecedented disruption caused by Covid-19 on football, FIFA has released guidelines (available here) on Covid-19 football regulatory issues (FIFA Covid-19 Guidelines).[3] In this article, we seek to examine the FIFA Covid-19 Guidelines as well as some of the key implications for Indian football clubs which arise from the guidelines. Specifically, we look at the following:

• Force majeure
• What are the FIFA Covid-19 Guidelines?
• How have football clubs and players worldwide responded to the Covid-19 pandemic?
• How would the FIFA Covid-19 Guidelines apply to Indian football clubs?
• How can Indian football clubs prepare a contingency plan based on the FIFA Covid-19 Guidelines?