UEFA, UN team up for humanity

UEFA and the United Nations Office in Geneva have announced that they will join forces to organise a solidarity football match, with the support of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva and the Geneva Stadium Foundation.

This charity football match, involving two teams led by renowned football icons and featuring former star players, will take place on Saturday 21 April 2018 at 16.00CET at the Stade de Genève.

As an expression of solidarity and in recognition of the importance of sports in society, the Match for Solidarity is aimed at promoting peace, human rights and well-being in the world, through the Sustainable Development Goals as set out by the United Nations. The proceeds from this match, as well as from the charity dinner and a unique digital football auction, raised for the UEFA Foundation for Children, will be used to finance international humanitarian and development projects. These projects will be selected by a committee of representatives from UEFA, the United Nations Office in Geneva and the Geneva Stadium Foundation.

The two teams will be managed by Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps, and will be captained by Luís Figo and Ronaldinho respectively. The coaches and captains will select their teams in the weeks to come. The match will be officiated by the former Italian intenational referee Pierluigi Collina.

Speaking about the project, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said:

“We are delighted to be joining forces with the United Nations and the authorities in Geneva to organise this Match for Solidarity. UEFA is fully committed to being a social fair play organisation, and we feel it is our duty to help support humanitarian initiatives through football. I am sure that through this cooperation with the UN and the UEFA Foundation for Children we can raise significant funds for good causes around the world.”

Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva, added:

“This fruitful collaboration between the United Nations and UEFA makes excellent use of the unique synergies existing in Geneva. Solidarity is the key to create a fairer world for everybody. Each and all of us is part of the solution, we just need to pool our expertise and work together for achieving peace, rights and well-being.”

Legendary former football star and current UEFA football advisor, Luís Figo, said about the upcoming match:

“I am honoured to participate in this global event. As the most popular sport in the world, football is uniquely placed to bring people together and to be a force for good. The Match for Solidarity is a great opportunity to enhance public awareness and raise funds for humanitarian and development projects. As players, it is great that we can give something back to society and help create a better world. We really count on football fans to come in great numbers and participate in such a team effort for the benefit of less privileged people.”

More information on the line-ups of the two teams will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the match will go on sale at the beginning of next year. Register in advance for tickets at matchforsolidarity.com.