European football helps Asia effort

The European football community is making its contribution to the world football family’s solidarity effort following the tragedy that has affected parts of Asia.

Special matches
World football’s governing body FIFA says that various European associations are among those that have expressed a wish to play charity matches, with proceeds going towards the joint solidarity fund set up by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation [AFC] under the name of FIFA/AFC Tsunami Solidarity Fund. Other European associations have also pledged money towards the fund.

Offers of support
In addition, FIFA says that it is receiving offers of support from its continental confederations – which include UEFA – with events such as special matches in the pipeline. Furthermore, FIFA and AFC are working together to co-ordinate support from the worldwide football family, to try to centralise any donations from confederations and associations (such as takings from charity matches, donations of football equipment, etc.). FIFA and AFC will call upon famous football personalities – primarily former players – to help with distribution efforts and solidarity movements in the affected region.

Stricken region
FIFA and AFC leaders have agreed that these funds should be used to help the affected member associations (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand) as well as the local population of the stricken region.

African situation
Furthermore, FIFA and the African Football Confederation [CAF] are working together to evaluate the situation in the African countries (Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania) also affected by the disaster.

Football infrastructures
The world football body says that as the international community has already raised such a substantial amount of money, FIFA has decided to give importance to reconstructing the football infrastructure in the affected areas.