World’s Top Soccer Teams Play Exhibition Game to Raise International HIV/AIDS Funds
Two of the world's top soccer teams played an exhibition match last night at Giants Stadium in New Jersey to raise funds for the international effort to fight HIV/AIDS, the New York Times reports (Bell, New York Times, 8/9). U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday at the United Nations headquarters thanked the members of Real Madrid and AS Roma for showing their "solidarity" with people with HIV/AIDS. "For the sick to know that you, in the prime of your youth, that you healthy ones are there rooting for them is an incredible encouragement," Annan, a former soccer player, said (Reuters, 8/7). U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger also attended the game last night (AP/Canadian Press, 8/8). The funds raised from the game will be shared between UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (El Pais, 8/8). More than 70,000 fans, some paying as much as $75 per ticket, attended the game, which resulted in a 0-0 tie (New York Times, 8/9). In addition to playing in the "historic" game, members of the teams have also decided to give a financial contribution to assist with the international HIV/AIDS fight (Associated Press, 8/7).
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