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Infantino says COVID relief money will go where needed, condemns racism as a 'virus' in soccer

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT, FIXING AUDIO PROBLEM

VIDEO SHOWS: FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO SPEAKING AT FIFA CONGRESS ON MONEY BEING USED WISELY FROM COVID RELIEF FUND / INVESTING IN WOMEN'S FOOTBALL / TACKLING RACISM AND CHILD ABUSE IN SOCCER

SHOWS: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (SEPTEMBER 18, 2020) (FIFA - SEE RESTRICTIONS BEFORE USE)

1. CONGRESS IN PROGRESS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"And we have the money, as well, because in the new FIFA, dear friends, the money doesn't disappear anymore. The money goes where it has to go - to football, to help football."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"We know and we will know exactly where the money goes and why it goes exactly where it has to - everything is fully transparent."

5. CONGRESS IN PROGRESS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"When we talk about the World Cup in 2023 we know that it will be the biggest World Cup in history. Why? 32 teams instead of 24. Let's make the most of not just the biggest but the best, the biggest success lets work together for this and in order to work for this we need to give ourselves the means to do this that is why we are investing one billion dollars to develop the women's game and it won't be impacted by the COVID crisis we have invested and we continue to invest."

7. CONGRESS IN PROGRESS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"When discussing women's football and women in football we are also talking about equality and discrimination and racism. Racism is a virus, that has seen a re-emergence this year, we could say racism and discrimination are a part of society and therefore part of football. But no, no, no. We can't say that, we won't say that. At the FIFA congress in 2017, I said clearly that corruption has no place in football and today I would like to say racists have no place in football. We have to apply a zero tolerance policy. We need awareness raising and to talk about it instead of hiding. We need training for our youth and we need strict sanctions."

9. CONGRESS IN PROGRESS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"And a third area, dear friends, is an area that we were not really putting in the spotlight so far and honestly, we should have and we will now. We're speaking about child abuse. I am advocating for the creation of a new independent entity, jointly organised by governments, inter-governmental organisations and sports bodies to receive and investigate abuse cases because we must make sure that our children, when they go to play any sport, not only football, are in a safe environment and we, as sports bodies, are trying to do what we can but on our own we are not geared up to tackle these crimes, we have to admit that, we have to search for collaboration, we have to give our full commitment and collaboration and be proud that we have found a partner like the UNODC to fight together with us."

11. CONGRESS IN PROGRESS

STORY: The one and a half billion pounds FIFA has earmarked to help soccer get over the coronavirus pandemic will be wisely used, Gianni Infantino told the organisation's congress on Friday (September 18).

Speaking in Zurich, Switzerland, Infantino allayed fears that the money in the COVID-19 relief fund may fall into the wrong hands, alluding to FIFA's various corruption scandals under his predecessor Sepp Blatter.

Some of the money will fund women's soccer, and Infantino said it was important to build on the success of the women's World Cup, while he condemned continuing racism in the sport and compared it to a virus.

The Swiss added that FIFA must also do more to combat child abuse in soccer, and was seeking outside help to stamp out the problem.

FIFA's congress was held virtually for the first time, due to the coronavirus pandemic, after what would have been the 70th annual get together of soccer's powerbrokers in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa in June was cancelled.

(Production: Iain Axon)