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Soccer legend Zidane to play friendly game at Molson Stadium, June 28

Published: 15 June 2009

MONTREAL -- Former international soccer superstar Zinedine Zidane is coming to Montreal along with other star players for a friendly match at Molson Stadium on the campus of ֱ University, June 28.

Other participating teammates of Zidane will include Samuel Eto'o, Fabien Barthez, Christian Vieri, Franco Baresi and Gennaro Gattuso. They will be coached by Arrigo Sacchi, the former coach of the Italian national team, who led Italy to a berth in the 1994 World Cup final. The international team will compete in friendly matches with players from several Canadian cities.

The Molson Stadium match will be the second stop on a cross-country tour that will take the star-studded group to Toronto's BMO Stadium on June 25 and to Vancouver's BC Place Stadium on July 4.

"I am very excited to be coming to Canada to promote soccer and to help UNICEF help children around the world", said Zidane, who led France to a World Cup title in 1998 and a European Championship in 2000. He also played Real Madrid and Juventus FC.

Zidane retired from professional soccer in 2006 following France's appearance in the World Cup final. As goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Development Program, he makes regular tour appearances in Europe, Africa and Asia. Zidane's "Match Against Poverty" benefits many charities.

Representatives from Adlani Soccer, Ltd., the tour promoter, announced Sunday, that a portion of the revenue generated from the “Zidane & Friends Canadian Tour” will benefit UNICEF, which helps millions of children in 156 countries.

"Zidane is such an ambassador for the game and brings hope and happiness wherever he goes," said Ahcene Adlani, the tour’s promoter. "In these difficult times, the beautiful game, played by one of the game's most beautiful players can only inspire others to achieve great things."

Tickets for the Montreal game ranges between $21 and $198 and are on sale at Admission outlets. They can reserved by calling (514) 790-1245.

Molson Stadium serves the University as a varsity game and practice field, an intramural pitch and multi-purpose area.  Over the past few decades, the Stadium has been host to field hockey competition at the 1976 Summer Olympics, the Drum Corps International competitions, the RHR Blackwatch ceremony presided over by the Queen Mother, rock concerts by "The Police" and "The Beach Boys", plus numerous community events.

The facility, which spans 80,000 square feet and will be in its 95th year of operation in the fall of 2009, is named in memory of Captain Percival Molson, a ֱ football, hockey and track star who died in France during the First World War. Molson bequeathed $75,000 towards the stadium, which first opened as ֱ Graduates' Stadium in 1915. 


SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
ֱ Athletics & Recreation
(514) 398-7012
earl.zukerman [at] mcgill.ca

Caroline Cossette
Communications Officer
Zidane Tour
(514) 918-2116
caroline [at] groupeck7.com

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