OGC Nice coach Patrick Vieira has implored fans and players alike to act responsibly as French football and indeed wider society seek to overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the Arsenal Invincibles and a FIFA World Cup winner with France in 1998, Vieira has been Nice coach since the start of the 2018-19 campaign, but in the current circumstances adding to his impressive trophy haul as a coach is low on his list of priorities.
"Football really takes a back seat at the moment," Vieira explained in a telephone interview with the official Nice website, ogcnice.com. "The most important thing is to understand just how big this pandemic is and that we have to stand united to fight this virus.
"It's offensive to talk about football. I think about everyone who has lost a loved one, and also those in the front line, the doctors and the nurses, but also the supermarket staff etc. they're doing an exceptional job."
Watch: Nice beat Côte d'Azur rivals AS Monaco 2-1 before the break in play
Seventh last season, Vieira has led Nice up to sixth in the table this term, with just eight points to make up on the European places. With more than 6,000 deaths in France so far, the 43-year-old is not even concerned about when the next game is, though.
"There are many ways to help," Vieira continued. "Start with the activities run by the OGC Nice Endowment Fund. They're helping the Nice public hospital, but also others in need.
"Everyone should understand that they have a role to do. It's only by showing solidarity, looking out for one another, that we will defeat this virus. You, me, every citizen has a role to play and we need to do it all the way, right now and also in the future."
