Gianni Infantino: “This crisis impacts the entire world and that is why solutions need to take into account the interests of all stakeholders around the world.” (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

The Bureau of the FIFA Council convened by conference call Wednesday to address the exceptional circumstances created by the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus outbreak and decided several changes unanimously.

They included:

* To include the new dates of the CONMEBOL Copa América and the UEFA Euro (June 11 to 11 July 2021) in the international match calendar and to decide at a later stage when to schedule the new FIFA Club World Cup, which was due to take place in June/July 2021.

* To create a FIFA-confederations working group, monitoring the evolving situation, working closely together and agreeing on a coordinated approach addressing the consequences of this pandemic:

— Calendar: Ensuring appropriate global solutions are eventually found for competitions at all levels considering the needs of all stakeholders while always keeping the health of all participants as a first priority

— Transfer of players: Assessing the need for amendments or temporary dispensations to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players’ to protect contracts for both players and clubs and adjusting player registration periods

— Potential support fund: Assessing the economic impact faced by the various football stakeholders in each continent to analyse if a support fund at global level will be required and how in that case concrete support mechanisms should be defined.

* To donate $10 million (U.S.) to the World Health Organisation COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and working together with the WHO to ensure these funds are used to support the fight against the virus in all regions of the world.

“This exceptional situation requires exceptional measures and decisions,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “This crisis impacts the entire world and that is why solutions need to take into account the interests of all stakeholders around the world. We have shown again today a spirit of cooperation, solidarity and unity. These must be our key drivers moving forward and I would like to thank all the confederations presidents for their positive contributions and efforts. FIFA will keep in close contact with all stakeholders to assess and take the necessary steps to deal with the variety of issues we are facing. I count on the support of the whole football community moving forward.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.