According to FAM’s president Walter Nyamilandu if the fund is approved it will play a critical role in saving lives and the burden of clubs that are directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic.

Meanwhile football analysts say several federations, clubs and leagues declared themselves to be in a state of financial distress the emergency fund will be crucial in bailing out those affected including local clubs.

Football is one of major sporting activities that have been heavily hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Football associations, Clubs, Players have been financially crippled by the pandemic having been forced to shut down their operations. Some have gone as far as declaring to be in a state of financial crisis.

World football governing body FIFA has moved in to start planning to tap into its $2.7 billion cash reserve to create an emergency fund aimed at supporting the football industry worldwide which has been heavily hit by COVID 19 that’s according to New York Times article published on Tuesday.

“FIFA is in a strong financial situation and it’s our duty to do the utmost to help them in their hour of need,” FIFA said in a statement on Tuesday. “Therefore, we confirm FIFA is working on possibilities to provide assistance to the football community around the world after making a comprehensive assessment of the financial impact this pandemic will have on football.” reads part of the article.

Football association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu says: “I welcome the initiative for FIFA to reach out and support the footballing industry that has not been spared by the pandemic of the Coronavirus.

“The Emegency Fund will play a critical role in saving lives and cushioning the burden of clubs, players, officials and members of staff that are directly or indirectly working for Football.

“I will comment more as a FIFA Council Member when the proposal materializes.” said Nyamilandu.

Meanwhile Sports analyst Charles Nyirenda says the presence of the FA president and other African leaders in the FIFA Council will help to lobby for more funding for Africa Football Federations with Malawi Inclusive.

“FIFA knows the kind of situation football is in and it’s not surprising that there is such plans.

“Let’s hope it materializes because the fund will help a lot of people that are involved in football.

“The FA president and other members from Africa surely they will help to lobby for more funding because it’s obvious that there will be a difference when it comes to allocations, but hopefully our president and the other leaders will be able to influence some decisions so that Africa should be allocated with enough funding that is if all goes as planned.”

Another analyst George Chiusiwa concurred with Nyirenda saying FIFA has demonstrated that they consider the wellbeing of those involved in football.

“The pandemic has not spared football in terms of business wise and other aspects, it’s a good initiative from FIFA and God willing we (Malawi) will benefit from the emergency fund.

“A lot of things have been affected and it will take time to recover. I doubt if some teams will sustain themselves if the situation persist.”

“The fund would require the approval of the FIFA Council, a 36-member group made up of soccer officials from the sport’s six regional confederations, before the plans can move forward.

The fund would be managed differently than FIFA’s current development structure, in which the organization’s administration is responsible for delivering $6 million across a four-year cycle to each of its 211 member associations, whatever their size or needs.

Should global soccer leaders sign off on it, the fund would amount to the biggest response from any major sports governing body to the financial impact of the pandemic,” the article reads.