Читать книгу More Than Just a Game: Football v Apartheid - Marvin Close - Страница 5

This book strives to preserve and convey the amazing history of the Makana Football Association, founded on Robben Island. Following FIFA rules, principles and statutes, the association used football to create a space of dignity, respect, and democracy on this infamous island, symbol of apartheid.

More Than Just a Game is about those who played football on Robben Island and who have since become South Africa’s leaders: Jeff Radebe, Jacob Zuma, Mark Shinners, Anthony Suze, Marcus Solomon, Tokyo Sexwale, and Dikgang Moseneke, the first chairman of the Makana FA who was democratically elected in 1969. Above all, it is the story of the thousands of relatively unknown prisoners whose lives were enriched by football and whose sacrifices made possible the eventual creation of a free South Africa.

Expelled from FIFA in 1976, South Africa was finally readmitted in 1992, thanks to the efforts of my predecessor, Dr João Havelange. It was an emotional day on Saturday 15 May 2004, when I had the privilege to open the envelope and announce South Africa as organizers of the FIFA World Cup 2010, the first one ever to take place on the African continent.

This book celebrates football, the universal game, and the passion of millions of fans. But it is more than just a game, since it unites us in a world which is becoming increasingly divided.

Football is indebted to the footballers of Robben Island.

For the game! For the world!

Joseph S. Blatter