United to host European XI
'Europe XI to play Manchester United in jubilee charity match at
Old Trafford'
At a press conference staged at Old Trafford in Manchester on
Saturday afternoon, just after the local derby between Manchester
United and Manchester City, plans to play a celebration match at
the stadium were unveiled.
The event will mark two jubilees and a marriage of two proposals
which arrived at UEFAs headquarters in Switzerland. The European
Union tabled the idea of a match to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which, on 25 March 1957, formally
laid the foundations for a united Europe.
Manchester United then expressed a wish to commemorate the clubs
50 years of involvement in European competitions, notably the
Champion Clubs Cup, known nowadays as the UEFA Champions League.
United were the first English team to enter the competition and the
story which was begun by Sir Matt Busbys Busby Babes in the
1956/57 season has run in parallel with the lifespan of the
European Union. The clubs 50 years in Europe have coincided with
the 50 years of the united Europe.
As a result, Old Trafford will be the setting for a match between
Manchester United FC and a Europe XI featuring star players from
UEFAs member associations who have made contributions to the
success of the UEFA Champions League. Any proceeds from the match
will be used for charitable purposes under the umbrella of the
Manchester United Foundation, with the emphasis on projects of
lasting benefit for the future.
Marcello Lippi, world champion as the head coach of Italy last
summer, has agreed to take the helm of the UEFA Select XI. I
accepted the invitation immediately, he comments. Im delighted
by the prospect of such a game and I am already looking forward to
taking on my great friend Sir Alex Ferguson. The Italian coach
will select the European squad and will have UEFAs Technical
Director, Andy Roxburgh, as his assistant.
The jubilee match will be played on Tuesday 13 March, kicking-off
at 21.00 CET (20.00 local time).
I think this is an excellent way of combining two celebrations and
commemorating the 50th birthday of the European Union, comments
UEFAs Chief Executive, Lars-Christer Olsson. It seems very
appropriate to mark a political landmark with a sporting event like
this, especially bearing in mind that Manchester United FC are one
of the clubs who have made such a rich contribution to a football
competition that, I think its fair to say, has also helped to
bring the peoples of Europe closer together.
Manchester United Chief Executive, David Gill, added: This is the
first major protect for the Manchester United Foundation. European
nights at Old Trafford create a special buzz. Fans and players can
feel the excitement these games generate. Manchester United is
proud of the fact that it was the first English club to enter
European competition and it is a privilege to be able to host such
a special game.
"Im sure the night will bring back many special memories of
glorious nights of our past. Our thanks go to UEFA, the EU and the
clubs and players that will take part in the event. We hope to
raise a lot of money to benefit Europes young people from Old
Trafford to Belgrade.
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Whoa..wonder what the result will b 