BOGOTA, May 16 -- Colombia head coach Carlos Queiroz believes football faces a "painful new reality" as it seeks to overcome the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a column published on the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) website, the 67-year-old Portuguese said the "uncertainty and uNPRedictability" of the virus threatened the game's survival.
"People are wrong if they think that ... with the flick of a switch everything will light up and be reborn, as if nothing happened," Queiroz said.
"There should be no doubt that we are facing a painful new reality and that after this tsunami, it is likely that little or nothing will be the same as before."
The former Real Madrid boss added that football is no longer in control of its own destiny, being held hostage to the global health and economic crises.
He said the first priority for football authorities should be to save competitions and clubs.
"With little margin for error or to maneuver, football faces a great challenge of maturity and resilience," Queiroz said. "The current chaos requires enormous sacrifices from everyone, as well as difficult, courageous and extraordinary decisions, which will allow football to once again be in control of its future."
Last month, Queiroz become one of several South American national football managers to take a pay cut in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Others include Chile boss Reinaldo Rueda and Paraguay head coach Eduardo Berizzo.
Queiroz, whose career has also included spells in charge of the Portugal and Iran national teams, was appointed Colombia's head coach in February 2019, replacing Argentinian Jose Pekerman.