Foreword

Dear reader, 

Dear friends of football and football professionals,

I’m delighted to welcome you to the second edition of the FIFA Professional Football Journal, a resource that draws on some of the greatest examples of the innovative #LivingFootball spirit at club level, with coaches, in women’s football and much more.

2020 was a disrupted year for the world and for the football community with new challenges forcing us to innovate and adapt in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As the dangers of the disease became more evident in the spring of 2020, countries went into lockdown to protect the health of the public and football activities big and small ceased in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

To the delight and excitement of fans and the international football community, some matches were able to resume during the second half of the year. Competition organisers, clubs and broadcasters worked hard to ensure the safe conclusion of disrupted seasons and the kick-off of new seasons, while ensuring that the highest levels of health and safety were in place. 

With the aim to protect football FIFA, via its COVID-19 Relief Fund, provided much needed support to its 211 member associations and the confederations, helping them tackle the financial challenges they have faced as a result of the pandemic. 

The FIFA Professional Football Journal provides some respite from the difficulties the world and football have experienced in 2020. It provides a snapshot of current trends, innovations and initiatives in football on everything from stadium management to marketing and fan engagement.

It provides expert insight from executives at club level and addresses the concerns of different stakeholders in the game, as well as illustrating the programmes and procedures FIFA has in place to tackle issues raised by our members worldwide, as well as how FIFA is giving back to society via the FIFA Foundation and our various corporate social responsibility initiatives.

As we look ahead, we hope for a bright future for global health and global football. We look forward to a resumption of normal football activity, when it is safe to do so, and until then we remain committed to working with fans, players, member associations and the confederations to use the power of the beautiful game and all who love it, to limit the spread of COVID-19. Health remains the most important consideration in football, as it is in life. 

We hope that you enjoy reading this edition of the FIFA Professional Football Journal and we look forward to the day when we can all once again live the beautiful game with renewed inspiration, joy and passion. 

Yours,