Zurich (dpa) - Immediately before the cancellation of the EM test by the German national soccer team against Italy on March 31, FIFA had to postpone all upcoming international caps due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The situation is constantly changing worldwide. Several authorities have already introduced international travel restrictions. To avoid unnecessary health risks and possible sporting disadvantage, FIFA therefore recommends that all international games scheduled for March and April 2020 be postponed until they are safe for players and the public can be carried out, "said a message from the World Association on Friday evening.
For the international matches in March and April, FIFA abolished the otherwise mandatory obligation for professionals to park their national teams. "FIFA is aware that playing games in the current situation poses a health risk to players (and the public) and is also very likely to affect the sporting integrity of these games, as certain teams, unlike others, do not play with theirs best players can compete, "it said.
National associations or the authorities in their countries are in a position to cancel test matches. The qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Asia and South America had already been canceled by FIFA and the respective continental associations.
FIFA announcement