UEFA President Michel Platini and ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger officially announced the partnership today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

A key aspect of the partnership will be an online funding campaign, Score for the Red Cross. Internet surfers will be able to purchase goals for their favourite side to help it win the title of most charitable team at EURO 2008™. UEFA will also donate 4,000 euros to the ICRC for each regular goal scored during EURO 2008™.

The ICRC will use the proceeds to afford mine victims in Afghanistan a better life by providing artificial limbs and physiotherapy. Apart from helping mine victims to overcome their injuries, the organization also supports their reintegration into family and community life by offering vocational training and the opportunity to start a small business. "I see patients arriving here unable to walk and terribly depressed," says Alberto Cairo, head of the ICRC's programme for the war-disabled in Afghanistan. "We can help them find the strength within themselves to get started again."
Mr Platini said: "I am very hopeful that through our joint effort during EURO 2008™ and the Score for the Red Cross campaign we will raise significant funds for victims of landmines in Afghanistan."
UEFA has been a major supporter of the ICRC over the past 10 years, donating more than eight million Swiss francs and offering the organization various opportunities to promote humanitarian topics.
In 2004, a joint UEFA-ICRC campaign raised awareness of the need to protect and help children affected by war.

"The ICRC is honoured to be teaming up with UEFA in this way for EURO 2008™", said President Kellenberger. "We're grateful for UEFA's long-term support, which has enabled us to help so many victims of armed conflicts the world over."