adminGENEVA. — The world of football continued to mobilise on Tuesday as wealthy European clubs proposed a series of money-raising projects to help the ongoing refugee crisis. Following AS Roma’s gesture to donate 575 000 euros as well as jerseys worn by stars Francesco Totti, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic to the newly-launched “Football Cares” auction site, the European Association of football clubs (ECA) announced a generous plan involving teams playing the Champions League and Europa League competitions.
Clubs have committed to giving one euro ($1.12) per ticket sold in their first continental matches this season, the ECA announced. All 80 clubs have committed to the initiative with the money – estimated between €2m-€3m ($2.2m and $3.3m) going into a fund created by the ECA.
“This decision was decided unanimously following an FC Porto initiative,” explained the ECA’s recently re-elected German president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
“Football must take its share of responsibility. Clubs must make a contribution to help refugees, a grave and serious problem.
Roma president James Pallotta provided 250 000 euros from the 575 000 gifted by the Italian club, which threw in another 325 000 euros thanks to funding from shareholders and club assets. The three Roma jerseys to be auctioned were worn during matches with 36-year-old captain Totti’s worn when he scored against CSKA Moscow in Russia last season, to beat his own record as the oldest scorer in a Champions League match.
Those of Dzeko and Pjanic were worn by the Bosnian duo during last week’s 2-1 Serie A win over Juventus in which they both scored. The auction on www.charitystars.com will end tomorrow with the jerseys delivered to their purchasers in a numbered frame with a Certificate of Authentication issued by the club. — AFP.
Online Reporter