FIFA Media Advisory -


Joseph S. Blatter sends a message of thanks to the President of the French Republic Zürich, 27 September 2002 - The President of FIFA, Joseph S. Blatter, sent a personal message to French President Mr Jacques Chirac on Friday, thanking him that a French military detachment stationed in Cõte d’Ivoire had intervened to enable the evacuation of a large delegation of the football family trapped in the city of Bouaké. The football delegation comprised the national teams of Senegal, Gambia and Sierra Leone, seven international FIFA referees, the Presidents of the football associations of Benin and Senegal as well as the organisers of the Union of West African Associations (UWAA) championship, a competition that had begun when the riots erupted in the country. “On behalf of FIFA and myself, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to you personally and to your country and my very sincere thanks for this act of humanity.” The French government’s intervention “will not be forgotten”, added the President of FIFA. ### Enquiries to be addressed to: FIFA Media Office Tel: +41-1/254 9800 Fax: +41-1/384 9696 FIFA Communications Division Zürich, 27 September 2002

Joseph S. Blatter sends a message of thanks to the President of the French Republic

Zürich, 27 September 2002 - The President of FIFA, Joseph S. Blatter, sent a personal message to French President Mr Jacques Chirac on Friday, thanking him that a French military detachment stationed in Cõte d’Ivoire had intervened to enable the evacuation of a large delegation of the football family trapped in the city of Bouaké.

The football delegation comprised the national teams of Senegal, Gambia and Sierra Leone, seven international FIFA referees, the Presidents of the football associations of Benin and Senegal as well as the organisers of the Union of West African Associations (UWAA) championship, a competition that had begun when the riots erupted in the country.

“On behalf of FIFA and myself, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to you personally and to your country and my very sincere thanks for this act of humanity.” The French government’s intervention “will not be forgotten”, added the President of FIFA.

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Enquiries to be addressed to:
FIFA Media Office
Tel: +41-1/254 9800
Fax: +41-1/384 9696

FIFA Communications Division
Zürich, 27 September 2002