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Valcke: We want to recognise Mandela’s achievements
On the eve of the opening match of the tenth FIFA Club World Cup, which is being staged in Morocco from 11 to 21 December, a press conference was held to provide an update on proceedings prior to the big kick-off, as well as to outline specific formalities that will be observed during the competition.
In addition to goal-line technology, which will be used for the first time on African soil, the tournament will also feature the ‘Madiba Moment’ – in honour of Nelson Mandela – and the ‘Handshake for Peace’, an initiative introduced by FIFA and the Nobel Peace Centre that will be implemented at every match.
With this new protocol, the referee and team captains will meet on the pitch near the centre circle directly after the final whistle and shake hands to mark the end of the game.
Taking questions from the media in Marrakesh on these topics and others were FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, Mohamed Raouraoua, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIFA Club World Cup, Abdelilah El Akram, Deputy Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Karim Alem, Event Director.
Mohamed Raouraoua
On the organisation of the tournament in Morocco
I, like all of the committee members, am happy to see that everything is prepared and ready for a magnificent event that should be one of the best in the history of the tournament. I’d like to thank all those near and far that helped during the preparatory stage. In terms of the legacy for Morocco is concerned, we will have high-quality infrastructure and elite training pitches, which will be put to good use when the country stages the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. We’re also happy to welcome goal-line technology to Africa for the first time ever, and I hope that by the time the final comes along, we’ll be more than satisfied with how the tournament has gone.
Jérôme Valcke
On FIFA Club World Cup host countries
Up to how, the event has run smoothly in the various countries that have hosted the event. In Europe, we’re a bit inundated with football – there are matches on every day. And so I’m not convinced that it’s the best place to organise this tournament. But a crucial feature is the presence of the European champion from the previous season. We’ve asked for bids for the 2015 and 2016 tournaments, as well as those in 2017 and 2018. Numerous countries, including China, have already expressed an interest. That’s a good sign, and not just because a Chinese team qualified for the first time this year, but because the nation has shown a desire to develop its own football through the organisation of this competition.
On the presence of Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is someone I know well – he’s a fantastic player who went through a difficult time at a certain stage of his career. Since then, he’s got back to his best, particularly in the latest game he played for his club. It’s important for him to be here and perform in this tournament, which he’s not won before. I wish him and indeed every other player all the best, and may the best team win. I don’t favour his team over Bayern, Monterrey or Auckland. I just wish for a tournament with great teams in it. We should be treated to some very good football to finish off the year on a high note.
On the Madiba Moment
Before every match, we’re going to ask everyone in the stadiums – players, fans and officials – to observe a moment of silence and to applaud Nelson Mandela, whose image will be broadcast on a giant screen. Mandela fought to bring people together in harmony all his life. We therefore wanted to allow people to recognise him by applauding what he did during his life to make this world a better place, and to make South Africa the country it is today. We put together the 2010 World Cup withMadiba’s help. I met him a few times – he was the most impressive figure that I’ve ever known.
Karim Alem
On ticket sales
FIFA brought a new dimension to the way we normally organise football competitions. Instead of selling tickets at the last minute as we’re used to doing most often, we launched an initial phase of online sales two months in advance. Naturally, the habits of the Moroccan public aren’t going to change overnight, but the sales were very successful, which was pleasantly surprising. Bearing in mind that last-minute sales will still take place, we’ve already filled 70 to 75 per cent of the stadiums. In just four days, 40,000 tickets were sold for the opening match in Agadir. There’s nothing better than a packed stadium. For Bayern’s matches, we’ve already reached 55 per cent, and we’re at 83 per cent for the final. There are a few tickets left, but perhaps not for very long.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Three memorable moments
A total of 68 goals in 57 games - by 11 December - is a phenomenal feat, but the numbers are not the only reason why 2013 has been a landmark year in Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular career. Amongst many performances, the memorable night in Sweden when the forward became Portugal’s joint top goalscorer and confirmed his team’s place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ will also live long in the memory.
After such an incredible year, it is hardly surprising that the Real Madrid player is one of the three finalists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award. Real Madrid’s top scorer in the 2012/2013 UEFA Champions League, he was the decisive factor in said World Cup qualifying play-off between Portugal and Sweden.
With just over a month to go until the award winner is announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2013 in Zurich on 13 January, FIFA.com looks back at three of Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatest moments this year.
Barcelona v Real Madrid: celebration on enemy territory 26 February 2013
As is so often the case with duels between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the second leg of this year’s Spanish Cup semi-final was no ordinary game. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Real travelled to the Camp Nou under intense pressure.
Unfortunately for Barcelona, that is the kind of situation where Ronaldo thrives. He scored the first two goals of a 3-1 victory to spark wild celebrations on the field of his team’s great rivals, as Real made it to the final of the Spanish Cup thanks to another night of inspiration from CR7.
Northern Ireland v Portugal: overtaking a legend in Belfast
6 September 2013
After causing one of the biggest shocks of Brazil 2014 qualifying when they drew 1-1 at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Northern Ireland had their eyes on another historic result in Belfast. And although Portugal went ahead with a goal by Bruno Alves, the home team soon stormed back, threatening to put Portugal in an extremely difficult situation in Group F.
Trailing 2-1 after 52 minutes, Portugal had little time to waste. That was when Cristiano Ronaldo took over, scoring his first hat-trick in a Portugal shirt. It was a historic achievement, not just in terms of the result, but also because his three goals meant Ronaldo overtook Eusebio to become the second top goalscorer in Portugal’s history.
Sweden v Portugal: clinching a place in Brazil in style
19 November 2013
Portugal’s presence at the FIFA World Cup was just 90 minutes away. After a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their play-off against Sweden, Portugal travelled to the Friends Arena confident of stamping their passports to Brazil.
Portugal started brightly, before Ronaldo opened the scoring on 50 minutes to seemingly leave the tie as good as over. Not so. Sweden fought back, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring twice in just four minutes to turn the game on its head, leaving the home side just a goal away from snatching the visitors’ place at the World Cup.
Portugal’s hopes were hanging by a thread until, once again, Ronaldo stepped up, scoring two more goals to not only send his team to the World Cup, but to also enter the record books himself. His hat-trick put him level with Pedro Pauleta as Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer with 47 goals, and capped a remarkable year.
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