Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, FIFA’s new plans to invest heavily in women’s football are still set to continue.

The planned investment, worth one billion US dollars (£804 million) had been the subject of debate, as some believed it might be used to put towards funding a relief effort, but world football’s governing body has confirmed that this is not the case.

In a statement to the Guardian, a FIFA spokesperson said “We can confirm that this funding has already been committed by FIFA and will not be impacted by the current Covid-19 crisis.”

“This funding will be invested into a range of areas in the women’s game including competitions, capacity building, development programmes, governance and leadership, professionalisation and technical programmes.”

With FIFA currently working on viable options to provide necessary assistance to those in the football community who are being adversely affected by COVID-19, the spokesperson also confirmed that the women’s game would be part of any future package.

“We can confirm that women’s football is being fully considered as part of this process in order to understand the various needs and impact on stakeholders within the women’s game.”

Discussions are thus taking place via the Professional Women’s Task Force as FIFA seeks to remain in close contact with key women’s football stakeholders during these unprecedented times.