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Andreas Herren
Marius Schneider
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FIFA JOINS FORCES WITH SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES

Paris, December 11, 1995 - The world's largest sports federation, FIFA, is launching a new project in support of the worldwide children's organisation, SOS Children's Villages.

The new joint project was announced in Paris by FIFA President, Dr. João Havelange, and the President of SOS Children's Villages International, Helmut Kuhn.

FIFA will support the SOS organisation through the FIFA Youth Fund, created last year by Dr. Havelange. The traditional match between the World Champions and an international All-Star Team, now scheduled for July 14, 1996, at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, will benefit the new FIFA-SOS project.

"FIFA will be not only giving direct assistance to SOS Children's Villages but also making its name and its aims known to a worldwide public, and also encouraging active local links between the Villages and our 193 national associations," said Dr. Havelange.

Bayern Munich's German international star player, Jürgen Klinsmann, who is to act as a spokesman for the new project, said in Paris: "I'm sure everyone in football has the imagination, the time and thought to help us make the new project a success, for the good of the game and especially for the benefit of children all over the world."

SOS Children's Villages is a non-denominational organisation, founded 45 years ago and now caring directly for some 200'000 disadvantaged children in 125 countries.

"SOS Children's Villages is delighted to have the support not only of FIFA itself but of the entire international football community," said President Helmut Kuhn. "Children throughout the world play and love the game, and this project gives footballers a chance to show their love for children.

To help promote the new campaign, children from SOS Villages in France will be assisting in the World Cup preliminary draw in Paris, and FIFA's 1996 New Year's cards have been designed by children from SOS Villages in Bangladesh, Nepal and Uganda.

FIFA COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Paris, 11 December 1995

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