30,000 spectators in Fez against poverty ... and to see Zizou

Moroccan 30,000 spectators braved the cold Monday evening in Fez (center) to support the fight against poverty and pay tribute to Zinédine Zidane, the star of a gala match organized by the The United Nations.

Standing as one man, the audience warmly applauded Zidane when former captain of the French team has walked the lawn stage of Fez.

A release of red and green balloons, the colors of the Moroccan flag, was kicked off of the match between "friends of friends Zidane and Ronaldo, both of which are ambassadors for UNDP (United Nations Development).

A quarantine former professionals from Europe, Africa and South America attended the match whose revenue will go to implementation, Morocco, projects that benefit the poor.

This meeting, run every year since 2003 and which ended in a draw (6-6), is intended to raise awareness of the importance of the goals of the Millennium Development Goals ". They aim to halve world poverty by 2015.

According to a survey published in June by the Moroccan High Commission at (HCP), it remains in Morocco 2.8 million people living below the poverty line. The investigation revealed that it had dropped by 40% in six years.

Monday evening in Fez, Ronaldo has shown signs of fatigue and has played only 20 minutes without providing a great physical effort.

Zidane, he has retained its freshness and technical, two years after retiring.

His precise passes, dribbles and its remarkable goal, scored in angle-closure were ovationnés by supporters, who scandaient his name.

"Fez is proud to host this game solidarity against poverty, as the city celebrates the 1200th anniversary of its foundation", told AFP the Sports Minister Nawal Moutawakil, on the sidelines of a reception where he was Ronaldo handed a gift from the UNDP for its efforts to promote sport in Morocco.

"This match against poverty is also a means of bringing people", said Minister of Sports.

Zinédine Zidane has, in turn, assured AFP that he would continue the fight against poverty in the world. "

"Being in Africa today is a plus. All people tonight (Monday) at Fez feel concerned. It meets for the good cause. It is a strong message: we must eradicate poverty or At least the medium term reduction in Africa, "said the former Blues captain.

The Director of UNDP in Geneva, Cecile Molinier, told AFP that the match Fez was an "act of solidarity on the part of an emerging country". "Thousands of tickets have been purchased by Moroccans as a sign of support. It is a symbolic gesture that forces admiration."

After this game, the UNDP intends to call soon to "create a global fund which would help rich countries to alleviate poverty in the world," she continued.

"We must not allow the international financial crisis further marginalizes poor countries, particularly in Africa. They need us in these difficult times," she insisted.

In 2009, organizers hope to organize the 7th edition of the match against poverty in Dubai (UAE).