Fifa’s medical committee chairman Michel D’Hooghe has said football should not be played until at least the start of September to limit the spread of coronavirus and when it does resume yellow cards should be handed out for spitting.

“If there is one moment where absolute priority should be given to medical matters, then it is this one. This is not a matter of money but of life and death. We should not underestimate it,” D’Hooghe told BBC about the pandemic.

D’Hooghe said it was too early for players to be coming into contact with one another, at least while social distancing regulations are in place.

“The world is not ready for competitive football, I hope this can change very quickly. Today you need more patience,” added D’Hooghe, a doctor who was formerly a member of Fifa’s executive committee.

Uefa opinion

Uefa’s medical committee, however, believes restarting seasons suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic “is definitely possible”.

“All football organisations which are planning the restart of their competitions will produce comprehensive protocols,” said Uefa’s medical committee chairman Tim Meyer. “It is definitely possible to plan the restart of competitions suspended during the 2019/20 season.”