Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson are among the Brazilian players and coaches who have joined forces with the country's football federation to donate almost $1 million (Dh3.67m) to families facing economic hardship due the new coronavirus pandemic.
More than 50 players, including former Barcelona and Juventus right-back Dani Alves, and coaches has donated 2.5 million reais (Dh1.7m) while the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) matched their contribution.
"In difficult times like these lots of families need help, our help," Neymar said in a video posted on the CBF website.
The money will go to three organisations working in Brazil’s densely-populated favelas and is enough to provide food and sanitary products for 32,000 families for two months, CBF president Rogerio Caboclo said.
CBF, jogadores e comissão técnica se uniram em uma corrente de solidariedade e vão ajudar 32 mil famílias em situação de vulnerabilidade por dois meses!
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) April 22, 2020
Saiba todos os detalhes do Movimento Seleção Solidária em https://t.co/8JGEihDKZX#SeleçãoSolidária #JuntosPeloBrasil pic.twitter.com/ILBFWai99R
Brazil coach Tite, who has twice coached in the UAE, with Al Ain and Al Wahda, and his players encouraged fans to donate and athletes from other sports to participate in the campaign.
The CBF said distribution of the money raised would be overseen by accountants EY, who are giving their time for free.
Brazil has so far reported 43,079 cases of Covid-19, with 2,741 fatalities, the highest totals in South America.
