Bids can be made
online until 23.59h on 9 July 2006.
“This is without doubt the most precious fan book of all time. We have to thank all of the players and coaches, and not least the local organising committee, sincerely for their support. This is a true sign of fair play and solidarity. I hope that the final bid will reflect the goodwill value of this unique memento,” announced FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, who is particularly pleased that football will be able to give children especially in poor countries the prospect of a better future as a result of the
6 Villages for 2006 campaign.
The 32 pages, with the printed names of the World Cup stars next to which they signed just before the start of the tournament, will be bound in precious leather. Top names, including Ronaldinho, Ballack, Totti, Riquelme, Beckham, Drogba, Parreira, Hiddink, Tunisia’s Hatem Trabelsi and Paraguay’s Carlos Bonet, have all signed the book for a good cause. The proceeds from the auction of the autograph book will go towards building six children’s villages.
“Players see all kinds of hardship during their travels around the world. But it is children who suffer the most. The most precious gift we can give to these children is a home and a good education. SOS Children’s Villages do wonderful work for such children,” declared LOC chairman Franz Beckenbauer, who officially presented the unique collectors’ item at half-time during the World Cup match between Sweden and Paraguay (1-0).
Today it was announced that the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Show on German television ZDF on 8 June, presented by Thomas Gottschalk and Johannes B. Kerner, raised more than 500,000 Euros for 6 Villages for 2006. A total of 3.2 million viewers participated in games by calling a special number where 17 cents from every call went directly to the charitable campaign.