Charity friendly match to be played in Petrinja

UEFA and Football Legends Join Forces for Earthquake Relief

22.02.2021.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Immediately after the disastrous event, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and HNS president and UEFA Executive Committee member Davor Šuker started discussing potential ways to provide necessary relief to Sisak-Moslavina County that suffered severe damage from the earthquake on December 29, 2020, with an epicenter near Petrinja.

At their initiative, a charity friendly match between Croatian and Slovenian football legends will now be played in Petrinja on March 13. As part of this event, UEFA will present a donation to the Croatian Red Cross to help areas that were hit the most during the violent earthquake.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Croatia in these difficult times. We hope that football’s contribution will help them overcome the challenges caused by this terrible earthquake and assist in recovery of the Petrinja region," said UEFA President Čeferin.

As part of the same event, the Croatian Football Federation will also present a donation to the Sisak-Moslavina County Football Association. The donated funds will be used to renovate football infrastructure that has been damaged by the earthquake.

The Football Association of Slovenia, a co-organizer of the charity football event, and their President Radenko Mijatović will also join the cause with a donation of their own.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

"We are witnessing once again how powerful the solidarity and friendship within the European football family are. I believe the Croatian Red Cross will help UEFA’s financial aid reach those who need it the most, and I am also certain that our own donation to the local county football association will greatly help the local football family recover. I am convinced that football is among the most effective ways to bring a smile back to people’s faces, especially children. Let this game be a small first step in returning to normal life,” said HNS president Davor Šuker.

The friendly match between the football legends of Croatia and Slovenia will be played on March 13 at Mladost Stadium in Petrinja, with kick-off set at 13:00 CET.

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