ISSUE 24 IN THIS ISSUE - The Football Association

UEFAUEFA HONOURSSIR BOBBY ROBSONSir Bobby Robson is presented with a chequeby England Manager Fabio Capello to help kickoff Sir Bobby’s new cancer care centre.Former England Manager Sir Bobby Robsonhas been awarded the UEFA Order of Meritto recognise his significant contribution tothe development of football.With Sir Bobby currently fighting cancerfor a fifth time, the award was collected on hisbehalf by FA Chairman Lord Triesman at the UEFACongress dinner in Copenhagen on 25 March.The previous month, current EnglandManager Fabio Capello visited Newcastle’sFreeman Hospital to present a cheque for £75,000on behalf of The FA to Sir Bobby, to help launchhis new cancer care centre.The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials ResearchCentre will be at the forefront of research intocancer, Sir Bobby commented: “I’m very gratefulto The FA for their extremely generous supportand to Fabio for delivering the donation in person.“I know from experience that he has a verydemanding job and for him to take the time tovisit us personally speaks volumes about hischaracter.”Fabio Capello said: “Sir Bobby Robson is afootball legend, not just in England but aroundthe world. I have known him for many years fromwhen we both managed in Spain and I am verypleased that The FA is backing the Sir BobbyRobson Foundation.“Sir Bobby is a very courageous man andit is an honour to be able to present him witha donation which will help his Foundation’simportant work.”PLATINI PRAISES ‘BEAUTIFUL’ WEMBLEYUEFA President Michel Platini paid his firstvisit to the new Wembley Stadium – to seein person the selected venue for the UEFAChampions League Final in 2011.When asked what he thought of the newstadium, his first reaction was straightforward andsuccinct: “It is beautiful.”He continued: “I didn’t imagine from the TVhow big and beautiful it is.“The old stadium I only saw three times –once when I came for the Final of the EuropeanChampionship in 1996, between Germany andCzech Republic, once when I played and oncewhen I coached from the bench.”Wembley will host the Final for the first timesince 1992, when Barcelona defeated Sampdoriato lift the European Cup for the first time in theirhistory.“It’s very impressive. Wembley gives us theopportunity to do many things. It will be a verybeautiful Final in 2011.”FA Chairman Lord Triesman points out some ofthe features of the new Wembley Stadium toUEFA President Michel Platini.