FIFA, EU sign accord to help football in Africa

BERLIN: FIFA and the European Commission signed a memorandum of understanding for football in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific countries here today ahead of the World Cup final.

The memorandum is designed to use the world's most popular sport as a platform for communicating a positive image of Africa, raising awareness of the continent's potential and to fight against racism and discrimination.

"Football has proved yet again it can bring people together," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said at a signing ceremony with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, South African President Thabo Mbeki and EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel.

Blatter added: "We share the same message of solidarity in a world that is more and more selfish. Football can be the instrument to create a world full of hope, through better education and health."

Mbeki said football brought hope in even the most desperate of situations.

"When young people play football they forget they are poor and in despair. We want to take that to bring them hope and achieve change."

He said he was confident his nation would organise a successful World Cup, having been given the honour of hosting the event in Africa for the first time.

"We understood very well what was required when we applied to FIFA. Africa will not fail.

"In a way, we can understand the scepticism but we will show these people," he added.