World Cup warm up matches to raise money for Haiti

Part of the proceeds from 2010 World Cup warm-up matches will be donated to quake-stricken Haiti, world football’s governing body FIFA said on Thursday.

FIFA said in a statement that it would donate its two percent levy on the friendly games between March 1 and June 11, and appealed to the 32 World Cup teams to match the donation.

“With a greater understanding of the magnitude of the human toll and widespread destruction, it is clear that the relief and recovery effort will require attention for the coming months and years,” said FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

“To achieve more impact and to act in solidarity, we look forward to having all 32 participating member associations join this effort by making an additional donation of two per cent for a total combined donation of four percent from each friendly,” he added in a letter to the football associations.

The governing body had announced some 3.25 million dollars in funding for Haiti’s beleaguered footballing community after the devastating quake there last month.

FIFA said the money from the friendlies would go to the special fund that will finance projects submitted by the Haitian Football Association.