Geneva 23 March 2020 FIFA the international governing body of football and the World Health Organization WHO have teamed up to combat the coronavirus COVID 19 by launching a new awareness campaign led by world renowned footballers who are calling on all people around the world to follow five key steps to stop the spread of the disease The Pass the message to kick out coronavirus campaign promotes five key steps for people to follow to protect their health in line with WHO guidance focused on hand washing coughing etiquette not touching your face physical distance and staying home if feeling unwell FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino have been actively involved in passing the message against this pandemic since the very beginning said WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the virtual launch of the campaign at WHO headquarters in Geneva Switzerland Be it through campaigns or funding FIFA has stood up to the coronavirus and I am delighted that world football is supporting WHO to kick out the coronavirus I have no doubt with this type of support that together we will win We need teamwork to combat the coronavirus said FIFA President Gianni Infantino FIFA has teamed up with WHO because health comes first I call upon the football community worldwide to join us in supporting this campaign to pass the message even further Some of the greatest players to have played the beautiful game have put their names to the campaign and are united in their desire to pass the message to kick out COVID 19 Twenty eight players are involved in the video campaign which is being published in 13 languages Sami Al Jaber KSA Alisson Becker BRA Emre Bel zo lu TUR Jared Borgetti MEX Gianluigi Buffon ITA Iker Casillas ESP Sunil Chhetri IND Youri Djorkaeff FRA Han Duan CHN Samuel Eto o CMR Radamel Falcao COL Laura Georges FRA Valeri Karpin RUS Miroslav Klose GER Philipp Lahm GER Gary Lineker ENG Carli Lloyd USA Lionel Messi ARG Mido EGY Michael Owen ENG Park Ji sung KOR Carles Puyol ESP C lia a i GER Asako Takakura JPN Yaya Tour CIV Juan Sebasti n Ver n ARG Sun Wen CHN and Xavi Hern ndez ESP A video campaign which will be published on player and FIFA digital channels is also being provided as individual localized files to the 211 FIFA member associations and media agencies together with a graphics toolkit for implementation on social media to further pass the message Hands It starts with your hands says Alisson Becker WHO Goodwill ambassador for health promotion Liverpool FC and Brazil goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men s Goalkeeper 2019 Please wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol based solution Such frequent washing with soap and water or preferably with an alcohol based hand solution kills viruses that may be on your hands It is simple but it is very important Elbows Cover your nose and mouth with a bent elbow or tissue when you sneeze or cough says Carli Lloyd two time FIFA Women s World Cup winner from the United States Dispose of tissue immediately and wash your hands Droplets spread the coronavirus By following respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from contracting viruses such as cold flu and coronavirus Face Avoid touching your face particularly your eyes nose or mouth to prevent the virus from entering your body adds FC Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi The Best FIFA Men s Player in 2019 and a multiple FIFA Ballon d Or winner Hands touch too many surfaces and can quickly pick up viruses Once contaminated hands can transfer the virus to your face from where the virus can move inside your body making you feel unwell Distance In terms of social interaction take a step back says Han Duan who represented China PR 188 times in an international career that spanned 11 years Stay at least one metre distance from others By maintaining such social distancing you are helping to avoid breathing in any droplets from someone who sneezes or coughs in close proximity Feel know your symptoms If you feel unwell stay home concludes Samuel Eto o former FC Barcelona and Cameroon striker who represented his country 114 times Please follow all instructions provided by your local health authorities If you have a fever cough and difficulty breathing seek medical attention and call in advance Keep informed as local health authorities provide the latest information on the situation in your area Please follow their specific instructions and call in advance to allow them to direct you to the appropriate local health facility This serves to protect you and to help prevent the spread of virus and other infections FIFA have also pledged 10 million to support the COVID 19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO For more information please consult WHO and follow the latest information online