FIFA president Gianni Infantino has warned against re-starting football too early amid the coronavirus pandemic, telling FIFA's 211 member associations on Friday that such behavior would be irresponsible. 

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, most football competitions around the world were suspended and major tournaments planned for summer of 2020, chiefly the European Football Championship and Copa America, have been postponed till 2021. 

Meanwhile, discussions are being held around the world over when and how to re-start the season while in some countries there are disagreements over whether players should face pay cuts. 

"It would be more than irresponsible to force competitions to resume if things are not 100 percent safe. If we have to wait a little longer we must do so. It's better to wait a little bit longer than to take any risks," Infantino said in a statement published on the FIFA website. 

Infantino added in the statement that FIFA is in a good financial position and has ample reserves to extend aid to football organizations and clubs put in dire straits by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Infantino also asked the clubs not to overwork their players in making up for the lost time in the season. 

(With input from agencies)