UEFA Champions League final sends global message of peace
Saturday, May 28, 2022
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‘Peace’ in English and ‘мир’ in Cyrillic to feature on official match ball, stadium screen, and pitch banner.
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When the UEFA Champions League final kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, every kick of the ball will send a message of peace to the millions of people watching one of the world’s biggest sporting occasions.
The official adidas match ball - the centre of attention throughout the eagerly awaited final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, will carry the words ‘Peace’ in English and ‘мир’ in Cyrillic.
After the match, UEFA and adidas will auction the ball, donating the proceeds to UNHCR, the United Nationas Refugee Agency, to help protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
The match ball is one of several ways that the 2022 final between will make the case for peace. During the team line-ups, a banner on the pitch and the giant stadium screen will both unite the football community with the same message of hope.
Solidarity
From the start of the conflict, European football was quick to show its solidarity with Ukraine, with players, fans, clubs and coaches providing support. The UEFA Foundation for Children allocated $1 million to help children on the frontlines of the conflict and young refugees in neighbouring countries.
UEFA has also helped players caught up in the conflict by amending its regulations. It allowed clubs to sign two additional players previously registered with a team affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of Football – or the Football Union of Russia – and whose contracts have been suspended.