The Malta Football Association and its President, Dr, Joe Mifsud, appeal to players, referees, fans and officials throughout the country to help praise and promote the spirit of fair play on FIFA World Fair Play Day.
FIFA is holding the eleventh World Fair Play over the period between today and Sunday. These dates have been chosen to link this year’s events to another special celebration; the United Nations International Day of Peace (today), an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities around the world.
The football family therefore wishes to commemorate the International Day of Peace by using the wonderful game and – most notably – its annual Fair Play celebration. This initiative has the personal support of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.
“Fair Play is essential to our sport and to everyone involved in it,” declared Dr. Joe Mifsud. “We need to cherish and nurture the value of sporting spirit and work tirelessly to keep up the momentum. We need appealing to all football fans in Malta to help us celebrate FIFA Fair Play Day and the International Day of Peace successfully.”
President Blatter recognises the fundamental role of Fair play in sport and the need to apply it to all sporting activities, including children activities. “Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, making them realize how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life,” he commented. “FIFA Fair Play campaign involves much more than simply promoting Fair Play on the pitch during a competition, FIFA is committed to encouraging Fair Play in society too, beginning with our future – with children,” he said.
“The most common way of commemorating the International Day of Peace is by observing a moment of silence or holding special ceremony,” the FIFA President added. “FIFA would like to encourage its member associations to do this by gathering around a football pitch, highlighting the values of Fair Play, and reminding the football family of the meaning of peace and the need for commitment for the realisation.”
This is the eleventh FIFA Fair Play Day to be celebrated since its introduction in 1997 and the fourth time that it will be linked to the International Day of Peace. In previous years, activities have been held in dozens of countries around the world, from grass roots to top flight football and in many community-based projects.
The Malta Football Association will be commemorating the 2007 FIFA Fair Play Day by ceremonies prior to the commencement of all competitive matches played today, tomorrow and on Sunday at the National Stadium, the Centenary Stadium and the Luxol Ground.