Note to Correspondents

WORLD-CLASS FOOTBALL TEAMS TO MEET IN MATCH TO BENEFIT

GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS

Real Madrid C.F. vs. A.S. Roma, 8 August 2002

The Secretary-General has the welcomed announcement by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority of a special match between 2002 European champions Real Madrid C.F. and 2000-2001 Italian Serie A champions A.S. Roma, dedicated to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.  Both teams will field participants in this year’s World Football Cup, including Zinedine Zidane (France), Luis Figo (Portugal), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) and Cafu (Brazil).

The match, an initiative of Real Madrid as part of its centennial celebration, will take place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 8 August at 7:45 p.m.  A portion of the proceeds from the match will be devoted to supporting United Nations efforts against HIV/AIDS and to the independent Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  The Secretary-General is expected to open the match, along with New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey.

United Nations Media Contact: Graciela Hall, tel. (212) 963-6923

Accreditation:  Special press credentials issued by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority will be required to cover the match.  Accreditation forms can be obtained from the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit of the Department of Public Information, tells. (212) 963-6934, 6936 or 6937; fax: (212) 963 4642, or from Dani Ribeiro at Champions World, tel. (201) 229-0175; fax: (201) 229-0176.  e-mail:  dribeiro@championsworld.com.

Ticket Information:  Tickets for Real Madrid C.F. vs. A.S. Roma are $75.00, $60.00, $50.00, $40.00, and $30.00, and have been on sale since Friday, 12 July, at 12 p.m.  Tickets will be available at the Continental Airlines Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com.  To charge by phone, call (201) 507-8900 or (212) 307-7171.  Event Information: (201) 935-3900, or www.meadowlands.com.

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