This archive report was first published on 20 July 2020.
On July 19, 2020, Bolivia mourned the loss of Cesar Salinas, the president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), who succumbed to COVID-19 complications.
Salinas, 58, had been hospitalized earlier in the month and had been a key figure in the federation since 2018.
As a director of The Strongest in La Paz, a century-old Bolivian soccer institution, Salinas had a deep passion for the sport.
His wife, who also heads the club, tested positive for COVID-19, highlighting the devastating impact of the virus on families.
Interim President Jeanine Anez expressed her condolences on Twitter, saying, 'My condolences to the family and friends of Cesar Salinas, president of the Bolivian Football Federation. They have all my support in these hard times.'
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) also paid tribute to Salinas, stating, 'Conmebol and the South American soccer family deeply regret the death.'
Salinas had been working closely with authorities to restart football in Bolivia after the virus shutdown, a testament to his dedication to the sport.
