Barca wants 'peace match' against Israeli-Palestinian team

[oberliner]

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Barcelona plans to play a friendly soccer match against a joint Israeli-Palestinian team in Tel Aviv at the end of July in the hope of promoting Middle East peace, the Catalonian club's president said on Thursday.

"Barcelona modestly wishes to make themselves available in order to contribute to the effort to strengthen the bridges of peace and dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian communities. The best way we can do this is with a ball," Sandro Rosell said.

"We want to make our team, our players, available to take part in a football match with the hope that this match will serve as a channel of dialogue within the two communities that will help bring them closer together."

Rosell made the announcement alongside Israeli President Shimon Peres during a visit to Tel Aviv the day after his club lost 2-0 at Italian side AC Milan in their Champions League last-16, first leg tie.

http://maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=567889

Palestinians reject soccer game against Barcelona

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Palestinians won't be teaming with Israelis in a soccer match against Barcelona designed to promote peace.

Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub met with Barcelona President Sandro Rosell on Friday and says there are ''lots of obstacles.''

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/palestinians-reject-soccer-game-against-160014075--sow.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. Great idea - but sadly unlikely to happen in the near future.