October 1997 – N°29 – Report – ENGLISH
| A ceremony like this has never before taken place in a sports arena, nor before such a large audience. Not only that, but with a Gala Match opening the proceedings, this exciting and suspense-filled event will be taking place in a real party atmosphere, with the spirit of sportsmanship creating a universal bond. Just like the World Cup itself… |
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Marseille – Vieux Port |
Between 10 March 1996 and 29 November 1997, no less than 645 matches will have been played all over the world to determine the teams qualifying for FRANCE 98. A veritable marathon, involving a staggering 168 countries. But this coming Thursday 4 December, only the 32 nations who have earned a place in the finals will be represented at the Draw in Marseille’s magnificent new-look Stade Vélodrome. And on this occasion, in contrast to what happens on the field, where little is left to chance, the composition of the eight groups for the FRANCE 98 finals is entirely in the lap of the gods…
A stadium teeming with 36,000 enthusiastic spectators seems a curious idea for a draw, but this highly original initiative, one never before adopted in World Cup history, carries within it all the values represented by FRANCE 98. “We could have staged this Draw before a small audience of invited guests, in a prestigious hall.” Fernand Sastre and Michel Platini like to underline this fact. “But we want this World Cup to be one for the whole world, and so we decided to set it in a stadium.” The French Organising Committee’s desire to highlight the spirit of celebration and sharing is also reflected in the very nature of the audience coming to the Vélodrome that day. The large majority of those lucky enough to be there will consist not only of young people who play football in the Mediterranean and Marseille leagues, but also youngsters from the nine other World Cup host cities. And just like all the spectators, they are there as invited guests!
FIFA and the CFO clearly wanted to send out a message in choosing Marseille as the venue for the event, namely that the World Cup is to embrace the whole of France. And Marseille, the land of football and sunshine, and which now possesses the second largest stadium in the country (60,000 seats), was really the obvious place to choose. The city’s fervent public will of course be thoroughly involved in the whole proceedings, as 8,000 Olympique de Marseille supporters will be sitting in the South stand. So you can be sure there’ll be plenty of “atmosphere” there! And this Draw, to be broadcast live in France on TF1 and in mondovision, is going to be far more than a simple ceremony. Rather, it’ll be a full-blown entertainment. One of the high spots will undoubtedly be the gala match played by footballers representing the 32 qualifying countries (see inset).
| Here again, we have another “first” in World Cup history! Many of football’s brightest international stars will be delighting spectators on the pitch of the Vélodrome in a symbolic match, a foretaste of FRANCE 98 itself. And the evening, brain-child of the CFO’s Special Events department, will finish up on a musical note. |
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Marseille’s supporters |
Apart from the celebrations, the Draw will be an occasion to bring together all those at the centre of the World Cup, among whom will be, naturally, the delegations from the 32 qualifying countries. It will also be a dress rehearsal in many areas of organisation, starting with press facilities. More than 1,500 members of the media are expected, and they will be benefiting from installations set up just as they will be for the World Cup, in both the press room and the media stand. Journalists will also be able to try out INFO 98, the World Cup Intranet system giving information on everything connected with the Draw, and more generally with FRANCE 98.
At least 750 volunteers under the supervision of 120 regular CFO staff are to be involved in the event. A huge troop of men and women who will not just be there on the day itself, but also for several days beforehand, helping out with reception, logistical matters and the opening of the Press Centre, among other things.
But the moment eagerly awaited by everyone that evening will be the Draw itself, entrusted to the capable hands of Sepp Blatter, General Secretary of FIFA. And at around 7.40 p.m., we shall know the composition of the eight groups of four teams playing in the first round of FRANCE 98, as well as which city will be hosting which teams. And our feelings of impatience regarding 10 June 1998 will be stronger than ever…