FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Andreas Herren
Marius Schneider
+41.1.384-9595

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEUCHATEL AND FIFA INAUGURATE THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SPORTS STUDIES IN NEUCHATEL

Zurich, 8 January 1995 - Neuchatel University (Switzerland) and FIFA will be unveiling the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) on 9 February with a congress scheduled for the entire day. In the presence of FIFA President Joao Havelange and other celebrities, four top-flight lecturers will be expounding on several topics related to sport in general but with the accent on football.

The programme will include speeches by Alan Rothenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the 1994 World Cup focused on setting up a new league, specifically the Major League Soccer in the United States and by Michel Platini on the challenges confronting the hosts of the World Cup - France 98. Further speakers will be broaching economic, sociological and legal topics, for instance the question as to whether regulated players' markets are a necessity in professional team sports.

The Centre for Sports Studies, the head office of which is situated in the historical Palais DuPeyrou, was founded on 8 May 1995 by Neuchatel University, the authorities of the municipality and canton of Neuchatel and FIFA. The main objectives of CIES are to develop research, teaching, training and services in the field of sport. The activities planned by this new academical institution include the organisation of conferences and lectures, consultations, setting up a major national and international sports documentation centre, as well as a university-level study programme.

NB: to the editors:
The complete programme of this institution will is attached. After the Congress Michel Platini will be available for a short press conference. Accreditation forms can be obtained from the FIFA Communications Division.

For any queries please contact:
Andreas Herren, Information Officer
Telephone: +41-1/384 9595
Telefax: +41-1/384 9696

Persons interested in attending the event are requested to contact:
CIES, Palais DuPeyrou, CH-2000 Neuchatel,
Phone +41-38 / 23 39 00
Telefax: +41-38 / 23 39 01.

The Congress will take place at the University of Neuchatel's Aula des Jeunes-Rives, Espace Louis Agassiz, 1, Neuchatel, Switzerland.

The entry fee is CHF 200.- for the Congress including lunch, beverages, coffee and documentation material.

FIFA COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
Zurich, 8 January 1995

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