CAF Release Guidelines For The Return Of Football

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued comprehensive guidelines on how to restart football across the continent.

Following developments in the spread and control of COVID-19 across the continent and the rest of the world, a series of meetings have been held regarding the future of competitions by the continent’s football governing in which safe ways have been determined to bring football back.

The Caf Medical Committee in collaboration with the Technical & Development Department and a team of experts has put together a comprehensive plan to guide the Member Associations (MA’s) on the restart of football activities on the continent which have largely been suspended since the middle of March 2020.

The 27-page document titled “Caf Guidelines to Resume Football in Africa” emphasizes the health of the major stakeholders (players, officials, fans, partners) as the essential elements which should constitute the basis of all decisions regarding the reintroduction of football activities across the continent supported by the authorization of relevant state authorities.

The plan also highlights on effective and continuous medical assessment (testing) of players and officials, guidelines for training sessions, disinfection of sporting facilities, as well as strict adherence to the global preventive protocols.

“This comprehensive document is a major step towards resuming football on the continent. Based on recent developments, it is important we have a plan in place to guide our stakeholders on the return of continental and domestic competitions, and the need for an all hands on deck approach.

“Many considerations were factored into the putting together of the document by our team of experts notably the specificities of the continent. Together with strategies established by local authorities, it provides the MA’s with adequate information to resume operations upon receiving the green light,” said Caf acting general secretary Abdelmounaim Bah.

Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee for Interclubs Competitions & Management of Club Licensing, and the Organizing Committee for Women’s Football held meetings via video-conference last week on the future on the various competitions.

The Caf Executive Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 30 June via video-conference and will make pronouncements on the recommendations by the respective standing committees. Details of the Executive Committee meeting is to be announced in due course.