FIFA, UN to cooperate in fight against Ebola

Madrid, Sep 13 (IANS/EFE) FIFA, football's world governing body, said that it looks forward to cooperating with the UN to combat the Ebola virus outbreak that has killed over 2,000 in West Africa.

The Antoinette Tubman stadium in Monrovia, the Liberian capital, will host two Ebola treatment units after the World Health Organisation (WHO) determined that it was the best venue available.

FIFA earlier donated the stadium to Liberia's soccer federation.

"Thanks to the continuous fruitful and fundamental collaboration between FIFA and the United Nations, today we can use the power of football (soccer) to combat the Ebola epidemic," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Friday.

"To allay any concerns regarding the impact of the treatment units on the recently installed pitch, FIFA has also proposed to cover the costs of any damage," he added.

"The Ebola outbreak also has a tremendous impact on the sport community, ranging from health threats to the athletes themselves and restrictions on travel affecting competitions and the development of sport," noted Wilfried Lemke, special adviser to the UN secretary-general on sport for development and peace.

"National authorities, the UN and the world of sport need to work closely together in order to halt the spread of the disease. The commitment of sport organisations to support our efforts is very much welcomed and crucial. It is my hope that many will join in this fight," Lemke added.

--IANS/EFE

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