Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wants to see soccer competitions start back up again soon despite the country's high number of coronavirus cases, arguing that players are less likely to die from COVID-19 because of their physical fitness.
Bolsonaro is one of the few world leaders that still downplays the risks brought by the coronavirus, which he has likened to "little flu."
"Footballers, if infected with the virus, have a small chance of dying. That's because of their physical state, because they are athletes."
Brazil's soccer confederation said in a statement on Tuesday that competitions should return "whenever it is possible, with safety and health care assurances for all those involved."