Legendary Players Signing Up for Joint UEFA-United Nations Charity Football Match in Geneva
Luís Figo, Ronaldinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps work together for the good of the game.
UEFA and the United Nations Office in Geneva have announced that tickets for the Match For Solidarity went on sale today, as football legends continued to sign up to play in the joint UEFA-United Nations charity game.
The match takes place on Saturday 21 April 2018 at 16.00CET at the Stade de Genève, with pre-match activities involving local and international children starting around an hour before kick-off.
The two teams will be captained by Luís Figo and Ronaldinho and will have Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps as the coaches. The match will be refereed by Pierluigi Collina.
Other players who have signed up to play include Éric Abidal, Cafu, Youri Djorkaeff, Alex Frei, Luis García, Nuno Gomes, Christian Karembeu, Fernando Hierro, Jari Litmanen, Gaizka Mendieta, Robert Pirès, Célia Šašić and David Trezeguet – with more to follow.
Further information on the line-ups of the two teams will be announced in the coming weeks.
Speaking at a media conference which took place today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to launch the ticket sales, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said, “Football can have a big impact in improving people’s lives, therefore it is great to see so many football stars unite around such a great cause.”
“I strongly believe that our sport can play a key role in social change and this charity match is a great example of football being a force for good. I send my wholehearted support to all those involved in this special event in Geneva, including all the players and fans, and I am looking forward to attending this match,” said Čeferin.
Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva, added, “This initiative once again highlights the unique synergies we have in Geneva to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals the world needs to reach by 2030. I hope this first Match will become a yearly happening, as a reminder of the work we must continue to do, all together, so no child – no person – is left behind.”
Legendary football star and current UEFA football advisor, Luís Figo, said: “I am very honored to be part of this very important event, from a local and global point of view. With the ticket sales officially starting today, I invite everyone from the city of Geneva and beyond to come and watch this match and play their part in contributing to such an important cause. It’s great to see so many legends from the world of football joining forces to raise money for the benefit of children in need.”
The match is being organized to promote the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as set out by the United Nations, with a specific focus on reducing inequalities, Goal number 10.
The proceeds from this match, as well as from the charity dinner and a unique digital football auction, will go to the UEFA Foundation for Children.
The funds will be used to finance humanitarian and development projects to help children with disabilities both at a local and global level.
These projects will be selected by a committee of representatives from UEFA, the United Nations Office in Geneva and the Foundation du Stade de Genève.
