FIFA and UEFA plan tsunami match

FIFA and UEFA are joining forces to stage a special benefit match, Football for Hope, next month to raise funds for the relief efforts on behalf of victims of the natural disaster in south and Southeast Asia.

Barcelona venue
FIFA, the world football governing body, and UEFA announced on Thursday that the match – featuring many of the world's top players - would take place at FC Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium on Tuesday 15 February, kicking off at 21.00CET.

Ronaldinho and Shevchenko teams
The stars will be lining up in two teams – one led by Ronaldinho, Barcelona's brilliant Brazilian ace who recently won FIFA's World Player 2004 award, and the other by Andriy Schevchenko, the AC Milan and Ukraine striker and reigning European Footballer of the Year.

Star coaches
Ronaldinho's team will be coached by Brazil's 1994 FIFA World Cup-winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, while Italy coach Marcello Lippi and Arsenal FC's Arsène Wenger will manage the Shevchenko team.

Solidarity fund
The funds raised from the Football for Hope match will be donated in their entirety to the Tsunami Solidarity Fund set up by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Barcelona are providing their stadium free of charge for the match

Football helps
"Just like the rest of the international community, the worldwide football family is determined to do everything possible to help the individuals and football associations that have been so severely affected by the terrible tsunami tragedy," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

Outpouring of solidarity
"The Football for Hope match is a symbol of the outpouring of solidarity within our game. It comes in addition to countless other initiatives that have already begun, through which the game of football is seeking to offer some hope to those in need."

Football's duty – Johansson
UEFA President and FIFA vice-president Lennart Johansson added his words of support. "The tragedy that has struck the nations around the Indian Ocean has provoked an unprecedented outpouring of solidarity around the globe. The football community has a duty to be a party to this overwhelming demonstration of human togetherness," he said.

Message of hope
"The emotional nature of these efforts is amplified by the role football plays in bringing people together, irrespective of their differences. We hope that the message of hope disseminated by the world of sport will help to alleviate the terrible suffering endured by those stricken by this disaster."

Ready to help
Ronaldinho and Shevchenko have immediately signalled their enthuasiam for FIFA and UEFA's proposal. "Like people all around the world, the tsunami disaster has had a devastating impact on us. The victims are in desperate need of our help," they said in a joint statement.

Offering relief
"Football is a game that offers moments of passion, beauty and joy. At this time, they are things that are very difficult to find in the afflicted areas. We had no hesitation in pledging our support for the Football for Hope match. Through this match, we hope to be able to offer relief to the people affected and help them rebuild their homes and their lives."

UEFA support
UEFA also announced on Thursday that it was donating €1.5m (US$2m) to the tsunami relief effort – €750,000 (US$1m) to its charity partner, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to assist and support child victims, and the same amount to the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund

* FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund
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