Stars unite to promote Fair Play

Stars unite to promote Fair Play
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Fair play is at the very core of football, which is why FIFA is doing everything in its power to preserve it. Since 1997, Fair Play Days have been an annual event each autumn and this year they took place across the world from 3 to 7 September. Football's world governing body asked all member associations, leagues and clubs to join forces both on and off the field in order to promote this spirit.

This was achieved in a variety of ways, including through FIFA Fair Play flags and video clips in stadiums, as well as via team captains speaking directly to fans to emphasise its importance.

But for the people in the frontline - the players, coaches and directors - what exactly is fair play? FIFA.com went around the world to ask what it means to them and why it is so important. A selection of their responses can be found below, listed alphabetically.

Craig Bellamy, Wales captain
Fair play in football is the only way. Playing as a professional for many years, I know the importance of playing the game by the rules - and that applies in every part of the game. The whole game must be built on mutual respect for your opponent. In that way, the game can flourish and fans can see the best of the best.

Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President
FIFA’s Fair Play campaign involves much more than simply promoting fair play on the pitch during a competition. FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children. Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life. I expect players, officials and fans to set a perfect example of fair play.
FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children. Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life.
Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President

Bob Bradley, USA coach
Fair Play speaks to the highest ideals of football and how it can serve as an example to people around the world. Respect for opponents, respect for referees and respect for the game are an essential part of the sport, and we strongly support FIFA’s efforts to promote Fair Play.

Rachel Buehler, USA women’s co-captain
When you really get back to the basics, Fair Play is what sports are all about. It’s about being on a team and creating relationships with people, whether it be your teammates, your coaches or your opponents. The game at the highest levels is very competitive, and winning is obviously very important, but when you think back to when we were kids and why we started playing, it was to get some exercise, learn some life lessons, learn how to treat people well and deal with adversity. Even though the stakes are higher as professionals, we hope these foundations of the game never change.

Fabio Capello, England manager
Football inspires people all around the world and that passion comes from the game being played in the right way, with the right atmosphere. Everyone plays to win, but how we react in every situation is very important. We all share the same passion for the game, and we have to respect each other at all times. It is important to remember that younger people watch football, and we are role models to the next generation. Since I have been in England, the Respect programme has had a positive impact on the game, and we have to continue to do all that we can to encourage both respect and fair play in the game.
Football inspires people all around the world and that passion comes from the game being played in the right way, with the right atmosphere.
Fabio Capello, England coach

Alex Frei, Switzerland captain
Fair play shouldn’t only exist during the fair play events of FIFA and UEFA. The Swiss national team supports all events regarding fair play in football and we feel that it is important not only to talk and to promise but first of all to act in a fair way, even when there are no special events such as this one.

Steven Gerrard, England vice-captain and Liverpool captain
Everyone loves football because of the passion and competitive edge, but it is important that everyone is able to play the game in the right way and the spirit of fair play is crucial to that. The game can't exist without respect between the players, coaches, referees, fans and everyone who is part of football. As a captain for Liverpool and also with England I've seen the way the Respect programme in this country has made a difference to the atmosphere between players and officials, and that's an important example for everyone who watches the big games. We set an example for young kids who want to play football all the time, and it's important that they can enjoy the game and play it free from pressure whilst learning the game. I fully support the FIFA Fair Play initiative.

Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland manager
Fair play is the most important element on the football field and stands for respect. Respect for your own team and for the opponent, the referees, the fans and the sponsors. Everyone has their own part to play in making football popular. It is even more important that all of the people on the field know that they’re ambassadors for football and act as such.

Philipp Lahm, Germany defender
Playing for both our clubs and national team we are seen by millions of fans and are especially in the focus of children. That is why fair play is very important, not only on the field but also in our daily routine. Issues such as racism have no place in football.

Eduardo Lara, Colombia U-20 manager
Fair Play is about solidarity and honour between players and clubs, on and off the pitch. Thanks to this idea, a lot of footballers have understood that football is a game and that any rivalry on the pitch should end after the final whistle. The concept, in my opinion, helps also to unify countries in our continent, where we want football to be one family.

Joachim Low, Germany manager
The FIFA Fair Play Days are a well organised initiative to show all around the world that there’s something more important for all the international players than having success. It doesn’t matter if it is a professional player or a youth player – respect for the opponent and a good behaviour is the base of our sport.

Aaron Mokoena, South Africa captain
We fully support fair play in football and we encourage everyone else to rally behind the initiative. Although I know that a lot can happen in 90 minutes and sometimes emotions run high, we have to always remain as an example to those who pay to watch us play. It is also about respect - respect for the game and for its fans.

Pitso Mosimane, South Africa manager
Football is one of the tools we can use to impact our communities and initiate change. That is why it's important for players to lead as role models in order to have a positive influence to the up and coming generation. The behaviour of players on the field is as important as their conduct off it.
Football is one of the tools we can use to impact our communities and initiate change. That is why it's important for players to lead as role models in order to have a positive influence to the up and coming generation.
Pitso Mosimane, South Africa coach

Howard Webb, Referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final
Football plays a hugely important role in the lives of so many people. It creates emotions of happiness and despair, frustration and relief, disappointment and fulfilment. But fair play underpins everything that is good about the game, irrespective of the emotion being evoked. Unfair play has no place in the game and a genuine sense of fulfilment or happiness cannot be achieved when fair play has not been observed, irrespective of the result. As a referee, I feel proud to be a part of this wonderful sport and to assist in establishing fair play and respect on the field of play.

Sun Wen, FIFA Women’s Player of the Century
Respect is one of the basic elements in fair play. A footballer must respect not only his or her coaches and teammates, but also their rivals, referees, audiences and all of the other people involved. A player should always be aware of their status as a professional and as such, should not get involved in any disgraceful demeanors both on and off the pitch. By doing so, you gain the respect of fans and opponents alike and safeguard the spirit of fair play.

Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland manager
Fair play is an important element in today’s game and is something that I fully support. I think it is great that the football family worldwide are focusing on the area of Fair Play in September and I trust that the up and coming qualifying games will be played in the spirit of Fair Play throughout the world.

Fan Zhiyi, Shanghai East Asia manager
To achieve fair play, you should first understand that the game is not only about competition. As a footballer, it is your responsibility to respect the rules and regulations of the game and do your best to display the ethics of the game during competition. Should we reach consensus in such regards, we can gradually do away with all kinds of violence, which has been doing harm to the game for so long.

FIFA President saddened by singer's death

FIFA President saddened by singer's death
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 26 May 2010
FIFA President saddened by singer's death
AFP

Following the sad news of the sudden death of Siphiwo Ntshebe who was due to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ on 11 June, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has today sent a message of condolence to the singer's family, courtesy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.

“I am very sad indeed to hear this news" said Joseph S. Blatter in his message. "This young man, whose talent had been identified and supported by no less than Nelson Mandela was about to showcase that talent to millions of people around the world. That he should pass away so suddenly, and so close to the opening of the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted on African soil is very cruel, but we are not master of our destiny."

On behalf of himself and the entire football family, the FIFA President has asked the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa to convey his sincerest condolences to the family of Mr Ntshebe and to the South African public at their loss. The FIFA President will also convey his sympathy in person to the Organising Committee on his arrival in Johannesburg tomorrow.

Statement on Haiti situation

Statement on Haiti situation
(FIFA.com) Friday 22 January 2010
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FIFA is in contact with CONCACAF and the Fédération Haïtienne de Football (FHF) and currently assessing how the FHF was affected by the terrible earthquake. FIFA was informed that members of the Haitian football family lost their lives and that the headquarters of FHF have been completely destroyed.

In a letter sent to the FHF the FIFA President has assured FIFA's support for the people of Haiti. FIFA has sent an initial contribution of USD 250'000. Additional forms of support are currently being discussed.

*AA* Blatter writes to Hayatou

Blatter writes to Hayatou
(FIFA.com) Saturday 9 January 2010
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The day after the tragic incident involving the Togo national team, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter wrote to African Football Confederation (CAF) President, Isaa Hayatou.

Below is a transcript of that letter:

Dear President Hayatou,

Following the tragic incident involving the national team of one of the member associations of FIFA and CAF just hours before the kick-off of the African Football Confederation's leading competition, the CAF African Cup of Nations, I wish to convey my wholehearted support, along with that of the international football family.

My thoughts, and those of everyone at FIFA, go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and to their families and loved ones.

This awful event cannot dispel the fact that Africa has written some of the greatest chapters in the history of world football. Africa is the birthplace of some of the greatest players ever to have graced the game. The continent will soon play host to the FIFA World Cup for the very first time, as is its due. I have faith in Africa, and it is with this faith that together we will organise world football's showcase event in 2010.

We stand alongside you at this particularly painful time and reiterate our friendship.

Kindest regards,

FIFA President honours Manchester United

FIFA President honours Manchester United
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 10 March 2009
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FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will honour Manchester United's victory at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan with a presentation at Old Trafford ahead of the UEFA Champions League second-leg tie against Inter Milan on Wednesday 11 March.


The FIFA President will hand over the 'FIFA Club World Cup Champions Badge' to Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill, and defender Wes Brown, before watching the game between the reigning club champions of England and Italy.

The winning club may display the badge on their jerseys up until the final whistle of the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup. The badge features an image of the trophy and the text: FIFA World Champions 2008.

"Manchester United have won a multitude of honours during their illustrious history, but in Tokyo last December they added a new title, that of FIFA world club champions" said President Blatter. "This commemorative presentation recognises the achievement of Sir Alex Ferguson and his players and means that until late-December 2009, every time the team takes to the field, they will take that honour out with them on their shirts."

Manchester United now follow in the footsteps of previous winners who boast equally rich histories and traditions: AC Milan of Italy (2007) and Sport Club Internacional (2006), Sao Paulo FC (2005) and Corinthians (2000) all of Brazil.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager of Manchester United said: "It was an enormous honour to become the first British club to win the FIFA Club World Cup and this is a badge we will wear with great pride. I hope we are in a position to defend the trophy in Abu Dhabi in December!"

In association football, some national and club sides include one or more stars as part of (or beside) the crest on their shirt to represent important trophies that the team has previously won.

In national team football, Brazil currently display five stars, one for each FIFA World Cup victory in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Italy did likewise in 1982 and today have four. All world champions have since followed suit.