The FPF stands strong against COVID-19

The FPF stands strong against COVID-19

In line with its social responsibility values, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has launched countless initiatives to ensure that more and more people comply with the Portuguese government’s guidelines on social distancing, quarantine and isolation.

FPF is very committed to help addressing this unprecedented challenge and make a massive contribution. FPF’s community-based initiatives involve financial donations to the most vulnerable families, medical product donations, and also producing videos to deliver safety messages, contents to deliver health and nutrition advice and promote physical activity during the coronavirus disease outbreak.

Regarding the football family, FPF has taken firm steps to help clubs and associations most directly affected overcome the COVID-19 crisis and will live up to its commitments, today and in the future as the situation evolves.

Community-based initiatives:

• FPF has joined the Never Give Up fundraising campaign, the proceeds of it will be used to distribute meal vouchers for the most needy and vulnerable families.  The campaign was developed in Italy by the LAPS foundation and replicated in Portugal by FPF, TVI and Missão Continente. Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, João Félix and Pizzi are some of the faces of this campaign, showing themselves behind a protection mask and embodying thus a message of strength and hope. 
• Together with NIKE and the Portuguese National Team, FPF has launched the “#LivingRoomCup” challenge to promote physical activity at home. This involves doing as many keepy ups as possible in 45 seconds.
• FPF produced an animated feature film with several episodes called “Dicas dos SuperQuinas” an decided to partner with Panda Channel. The aim is to raise awareness among Portuguese children and help families to promote good habits and behaviors in a playful and fun way.
• FPF launched the “United for Portugal” fundraising campaign to purchase essential hospital supplies and protectitve wear for frontline workers. The campaign was a collaboration between FPF, SIC and private institutions of social solidarity. 
• FPF used the reach and influence of players from its men’s and women’s national teams to help educate people about the steps they need to take to avoid catching or transmitting COVID-19. See the video.
• To show solidarity with the nation’s health workers, former Portuguese internationals have recorded a message of support, which has been promoted across the FPF’s digital channels: “You are the Heroes”, in Portuguese: “Os Heróis são vocês”
• FPF joined the campaign “A flag for all” with Radio Renascença. Portugal National Head Coach Fernando Santos led this initiative, which involves putting a flag on the window.
• The FPF and Channel 11 are using all their platforms to disseminate all the Portuguese government guidelines on staying healthy and eating well during quarantine.
• FPF’s president Fernando Gomes sent a message of comfort and hope to the country, calling for compliance with the DGS ‘instructions.
• Sharing inspiring stories on FPF’s platforms about male and female football players and referees working in the frontline (as nurses, military, supermarket workers, pharmacy workers, police officers, etc).

Initiatives directed to the football family:

• FPF announced that Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates, coaching staff and National Team directors have donated half of their bonus for qualifying for the Euro 2020 finals to help amateur football in the country that has been hit by the coronavirus shutdown. The money will go towards a fund that FPF hopes will reach 4.7 million euros to help amateur clubs and regional associations survive the crisis.
• FPF created a fund, worth 4,7 million euros, to support associations and football and futsal clubs of national non-professional competitions for senior men and women.
• FPF suspended all national non-professional competitions with immediate effect, declaring the season null and void without champions, promotion or relegation. The main reason for this decision was to ensure health and safety of amateur players and fans.
• The opening of a credit line for non-professional football and futsal in the amount of one million euros.
• FPF decided to suspend all disciplinary procedural deadlines for clubs, as well as postpone the execution of fine sanctions until next season.
• Anticipated payment of prizes to the clubs competing in the Portuguese Cup and all women’s football.

Online resources & challenges:

• COVID-19 prevention courses and workshops for clubs, led by the public health specialist Romeu Mendes.
• FPF’s Portugal Football School launched online and distance learning programmes: Management and Team Management training.
• FPF eSports launched the #jogaemcasa movement (“play at home movement”) that will see competitions and challenges for everyone: Community Cup, Masters Challenge, All Star Pro Clubs and other challenges launched by the stars of the national teams. The first of many will be the Diogo Jota Challenge and the winner of the competition will have the opportunity to challenge or create the National Team on the virtual pitch.