Press Kits

Tournoi de France –
from 3 to 11 June 1997

FOUR TITANS AT THE TOURNOI DE FRANCE!

It is a very special event indeed when 4 footballing giants like Brazil, England, France and Italy are pitted against one another in a single tournament. This treat for football fans is being staged by the French Football Federation, the French Football League and the French Organising Committee for the 1998 World Cup, almost exactly one year to the day from the 16th World Cup itself.

From 3 to 11 June 1997, the Tournoi de France will bring together the two finalists from the last World Cup, Brazil, the world champion, and Italy, runner-up, as well as two semi-finalists from Euro 96, England and France. This friendly competition will be played as a league table and comprise six matches of top-quality football. Each team will play three games, and the winner of the tournament will be the team that scored the highest number of points.

Four French cities will host the tournament: at the hub, Lyon, where two matches are to be played, including the opening ‘clash’ between France and Brazil, on 3 June, Nantes, Montpellier and, finally, Paris. The closing game in the tournament pits France against Italy on 11 June at Parc des Princes.

Here, then is the prospect of eight days of football at its finest, sure to whet the appetite for the 1998 World Cup, itself already shaping up to be the huge popular success predicted.

For the French and Brazilian teams, both already qualified for the World Cup as host nation and holder of the FIFA trophy, the Tournoi de France provides the ideal opportunity to match themselves against the world’s best and to assess their strength, twelve months before the actual World Cup.

Last November, a committee for the Tournoi de France was set up to take charge of all technical, administrative and sporting aspects, together with logistics, ticketing, press arrangements, accreditations and security.

From an organisational point of view, the Tournoi de France won’t amount to a full dress rehearsal for the World Cup itself, in as much as work on the five stadiums will still be in progress and they will not therefore be functioning at full capacity.

The week-long tournament this coming June will, however, provide the FRANCE 98 team with the chance to make a “dry run” of the World Cup using a large part of its operational forces, and to gain invaluable experience.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

Date	Teams	Cities
Tuesday 3 June 1997	France – Brazil	Lyon
Wednesday 4 June 1997	Italy – England	Nantes
Saturday 7 June 1997	France – England	Montpellier
Sunday 8 June 1997	Brazil – Italy	Lyon
Tuesday 10 June 1997	England – Brazil	Paris
Wednesday 11 June 1997	France – Italy	Paris

TOURNOI DE FRANCE
Principal Rules and Regulations

From 3 to 11 June 1997, France will host the Tournoi de France, a friendly tournament staged jointly by the French Football Federation, the French Football League and the French Organising Committee for the World Cup.

The tournament will comprise 6 matches to be played in four different French cities: Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes and Paris.

Alongside France, the host nation, three other great footballing nations will be taking part: Brazil, all-time record holder with four World Cup wins; England, World Champion in 1966; and Italy, 3 times winner of football’s highest prize.

THE COMPETITION

The event The tournament will be played as a league table. Each team will meet the three others once, meaning that each team will play three matches. The rules of the game All games will be played according to the rules laid down by the International Board and published by FIFA. In case of contention or difference in interpretation of the rules, the English version will apply. Points and standings Three points are to be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat. If two or more teams finish the competition with an equal number of points, the following system will come into play:

• Goal difference;
• Highest number of goals scored;
• The result of the match between the two teams concerned.

If the teams concerned are still equal after this, they will share first, second or third place.

TEAMS AND DELEGATIONS

Each delegation will be made up of 22 players and 18 officials, making a total of 40. The final list from each delegation should be submitted no later than 26 February 1997.

KIT

Teams will wear their customary national colours, as will goalkeepers. However, each team must declare two different, and distinct, team colours, one month before the start of the competition. The same goes for the strip to be worn for each match. This should eliminate any possible problems. In addition, each player will be given a number which he will wear throughout the competition. Each player’s name will be written above his number on the back of his shirt.

SUBSTITUTES

The 11 substitutes may all sit on the bench. Three substitutions are authorised during a game. Players having been substituted may not return onto the field.

REFEREEING

Referees and their assistants will be chosen by the French Football Federation in collaboration with FIFA. All referees will be from neutral countries.

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

The Disciplinary Committee will be made up of French Football Federation officials:

• Vice-President acting as President;
• President of the Disciplinary Committee;
• President of the Referees’ Association;
• Appointed members.

THE COMPETING NATIONS

• Brazil
• England
• France
• Italy
• Football in France

BRAZIL

Federation: Confederaçao Brazileira de Futebol Rua de Alfandega, P.O. Box 1078, Rio de Janeiro 20070

Tel.: (00) 552 1221 59 37 – Fax: (00) 552 1252 92 94

Chairman: Ricardo TEIXEIRA
National Team Coach: Mario ZAGALO

Honours:

• World Champion 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994
• World Cup Finalist 1950
• Champion of South America 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989

For years, Brazil was the “tri-campeao”, the only country to have lifted the World Cup three times, a performance which entitled the nation to become the permanent home for the famous Jules Rimet trophy. However, in 1982, Italy squared matters by also claiming their third World Cup title. Small wonder then that the final of the 1994 World Cup in Los Angeles between the two triple champions was billed as the final to end all finals, Brazil winning the showdown to claim world supremacy.

For twenty years, the stars of the famous “auriverde” (green and yellow) shirt were Didi, Garrincha, Pelé, Tostao, Gerson, Rivelinho, Carlos Alberto, Paulo Cesar, Jaïrzinho … Then, despite the talent of players like Zico, Socrates, Junior, Eder, and Julio Cesar, came twenty relatively barren years, broken by the emergence of a new generation led by strikers such as Romario and Bebeto, stars of the last World Cup. Already, however, a new wave of very young talents like Ronaldo, currently with Barcelona, is on its way … Brazil is a show that runs and runs.

Brazil’s recent track record:

13/02/96	Brazil – Ukraine	1-0
27/03/96	Brazil – Ghana	8-2
24/04/96	South Africa- Brazil	2-3
22/05/96	Brazil – Croatia	1-1
26/06/96	Brazil – Poland	3-1
10/07/96	Brazil – Denmark	5-1
28/08/96	Russia – Brazil	2-2
31/08/96	Netherlands – Brazil	2-2
16/10/96	Brazil – Lithuania	3-1
13/11/96	Brazil – Cameroon	2-0
26/02/97	Brazil – Poland	4-2

Mario Jorge Lobo ZAGALO
Brazil National Team Coach

Born on 9 August 1931 at Maceio

Playing career

• America, Flamengo, Botafogo (clubs in Rio de Janeiro)

Managerial career

• Botafogo, Fluminense, Flamengo, Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Vasco de Gama, Flamengo

Career as National Team Coach

• 1970 -74 Brazil
• 1976 – 78 Kuwait
• 1981 -84 Saudi Arabia
• 1989 – 90 United Arab Emirates
• 1994 Brazil

HONOURS Player

• 37 full Brazil caps
• twice winner of the World Cup with Brazil (1958, 1962)
• 5 times winner of the Brazilian Championship with Flamengo (1953, 1954, 1955) and
• Botafogo (1961, 1962)

Club manager

• 4 times champion of Rio with Botafogo (1967, 1968), Fluminense (1971) and Flamengo (1972)
• champion of Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal (1979)

Brazil coach

• winner of the World Cup with Brazil (1970) and technical supervisor of the Brazilian team that won the 1994 World Cup
• bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games with Brazil (1996)

ENGLAND

Federation: The Football Association 16 Lancaster Gate, LONDON W2 3LW

Tel.: (00) 44 171 402 71 51 – Fax: (00) 44 171 402 04 86

Chairman: Keith WISEMAN
National Team Coach: Glenn HODDLE

Honours:

• World Champion 1966
• 3rd in the European Championship 1968
• Semi-finalist in the European Championship 1996

For the last thirty years the England team has been chasing an elusive major international trophy. In June 1996, under the leadership of Terry Venables, former team manager at Tottenham and Barcelona, the English team had to settle for a semi-final place in Euro 96, before their home crowd at Wembley, the very stadium where thirty years previously, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and company had won the 1966 World Cup Final, finally getting the better of a German team featuring a young man named Franz Beckenbauer. This time however, Shearer and his team mates capitulated in a penalty shoot-out against the Germans, who went on to be European Champions.

Now managed by the former Tottenham and Monaco star Glenn Hoddle, England is currently disputing pole position with Italy in European zone qualifying Group 2 for the 1998 World Cup, the Italian team having won in Wembley in February.

ENGLAND’S RECENT TRACK RECORD:

13/05/96	England – Hungary	0-0
23/05/96	China – England	0-3
08/06/96	England – Switzerland	1-1 (Euro 96)
15/06/9618	England – Scotland	2-0 (Euro 96)
/06/96	England – Netherlands	4-1 (Euro 96)
22/06/96	England – Spain	0-0 (Euro 96) England won on penalties
26/06/96	England – Germany	1-1 (Euro 96) Germany won on penalties
01/09/96	Moldavia – England	0-3 (WC 98)
09/10/96	England – Poland	2-1 (WC 98)
09/11/96	Georgia – England	0-2 (WC 98)
12/02/97	England – Italy	0-1 (WC 98)

Glenn HODDLE
England National Team Coach

Born on 27 October 1957 at Hayes (Middlesex)

Playing career

• 1975 – 1987 Tottenham Hotspur
• 1987 – 1990 AS Monaco
• 1991 – 1993 Swindon Town
• 1993 – 1995 Chelsea

Managerial career

Appointed England team coach on 1 July 1996.

HONOURS Player

• 53 full England caps
• twice winner of the FA Cup with Tottenham (1980-81, 1981-82)
• winner of the French Championship with Monaco (1987-88)

ITALY

Federation: Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio Via Gregorio Allegri 14, Casella Postale 24-50, 00198 ROME

Tel.: (00) 39 6 84 911 – Fax: (00) 39 6 849 12526

Chairman: Luciano NIZZOLA
National Team Coach: Cesare MALDINI

Honours:

• World Champion 1934, 1938, 1982
• World Cup Finalist 1970, 1994
• European Champion 1968

Triple World Champion, the Squadra Azzurra, despite its disappointing display in Euro 96, remains one of the world’s most competitive teams. This was demonstrated yet again in the 1994 World Cup, when the team reached the final in Los Angeles, only capitulating to Brazil in a penalty shoot-out, let down notably by stalwart Franco Baresi of A.C. Milan.

Euro 96 was almost certainly the end of an era for the Italian team. Eliminated by the Czech Republic in the Group matches in England, unconvincing in recent outings, the Squadra has appointed a new coach. Cesare Maldini, former star of Milan and father of Paulo, has replaced Arrigo Sacchi who has gone back to manage AC Milan. A new Chairman has already been named at the Federazione, Luciano Nizzola, superseding Antonio Matarrese. Italian football is thus going through a period of some upheaval, but still has such a depth of talent that the national team can confidently be expected to be firing on all cylinders again soon.

In World Cup qualifying group 2, Italy, after its winning match in Wembley, is in good position for qualifying.

ITALY’S RECENT TRACK RECORD:

24/01/96	Italy – Wales	3-0
29/05/96	Italy – Belgium	2-2
01/06/96	Hungary – Italy	0-2
11/06/96	Italy – Russia	2-1 (Euro 96)
14/06/96	Italy – Czech Republic	1-2 (Euro 96)
19/06/96	Italy – Germany	0-0 (Euro 96)
05/10/96	Moldavia – Italy		1-3 (WC 98)
09/10/96	Italy – Georgia	1-0 (WC 98)
05/11/96	Bosnia-Herzeg. – Italy	2-1
12/02/97	England – Italy	0-1 (WC 98)

Cesare MALDINI

Italian National Team Coach

Born on 5 February 1932 in Trieste

Playing career

• 1953 – 1954 Triestina
• 1954 – 1966 AC Milan
• 1966 – 1967 Turin

Managerial career

• 1967 – 1970 AC Milan (assistant)
• 1970 – 1974 AC Milan
• 1974 – 1976 Foggia
• 1976 – 1977 Ternana
• 1978 – 1979 Parma

Appointed federal coach in 1980. Was assistant coach of the Italian national team from 1980 to 1986, winner of the World Cup in 1982.

Coached the Italian Under-21 team from 1986 to 1996. Appointed Italian national team coach on 15 December 1996

HONOURS Player

• 14 full Italian caps
• 4 times winner of the Italian Championship with AC Milan (1954-55, 1956-57, 1958-59, 1961-62)
• winner of the European Champions Cup (1962-63)
• winner of the European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1955-56)

Club manager

• winner of the European Cup Winners’ Cup with AC Milan (1972-73)

National team coach

• winner of the World Cup as assistant coach (1982)
• 3 times winner of the European Under-21 Championship (1992, 1994, 1996)

FRANCE

Federation: Fédération Française de Football 60 bis, avenue d’Iéna – 75016 PARIS

Tel.: (00) 33 1 44 31 73 00 – Fax: (00) 33 1 47 20 82 96

Chairman: Claude SIMONET
National Team Coach: Aimé JACQUET

Honours:

• European Champion 1984
• World Cup semi-finalist in 1958, 1982 and 1986
• Semi-finalist in the European Championship 1996

France’s obstinate quest for more substantial honours than the third place achieved in Sweden in the 1958 World Cup under the leadership of Albert Batteux, with a side built around the backbone of the Stade de Reims team, was finally rewarded when the exceptionally gifted “Platini generation”, managed by Michel Hidalgo then Henri Michel, established a solid reputation in the international arena.

The immediate successors of the vintage teams of the eighties failed to live up to expectations, but since the traumatic exit from the 1994 World Cup, Aimé Jacquet has got the train back on the rails. An unbeaten run of thirty games and a semi-final place at Euro 96 have restored confidence and rekindled ambitions.

These are two qualities that this talented group will not want to be short of in the 1998 World Cup, for the host team is already being tipped as favourite.

FRANCE’S RECENT TRACK RECORD:

01/06/96	Germany – France	0-1
05/06/96	France – Armenia	2-0
10/06/96	France – Romania	1-0 (Euro 96)
15/06/96	France – Spain	1-1 (Euro 96)
18/06/96	France – Bulgaria	3-1 (Euro 96)
22/06/96	France – Netherlands	0-0 (Euro 96) France won on penalties
26/06/96	France – Czech Republic	0-0 (Euro 96) Czech Republic won on
penalties
31/08/96	France – Mexico	2-0
09/10/96	France – Turkey	4-0
09/11/96	Denmark – France	1-0
22/01/97	Portugal – France	0-2
26/02/97	France – Netherlands	2-1

The last 10 France – England encounters:

14/06/92	England – France	0-0 (Euro 92)
19/02/92	England – France	2-0
29/02/84	France – England	2-0
16/06/82	England – France	3-1 (WC 82)
12/03/69	England – France	5-0
20/07/66	England – France	2-0 (WC 66)
27/02/63	France – England	5-2 (qual. Euro 64)
03/10/62	England – France	1-1 (qual. Euro 64)
27/11/57	England – France	4-0
15/05/55	France – England	1-0

The last 10 France – Italy encounters:

16/02/94	Italy – France	0-1
17/06/86	France – Italy	2-0 (WC 86)
23/02/82	France – Italy	2-0
02/06/78	Italy – France	2-1 (WC 78)
08/02/78	Italy – France	2-2
19/03/66	France – Italy	0-0
05/05/62	Italy – France	2-1
09/11/58	France – Italy	2-2
15/02/56	Italy – France	2-0
11/04/54	France – Italy	1-3

The last 7 France – Brazil encounters:

26/08/92	France – Brazil	0-2
21/06/86	France – Brazil	1-1 (WC 86) France won on penalties
15/05/81	France – Brazil	1-3
01/04/78	France – Brazil	1-0
30/06/77	Brazil – France	2-2
28/04/63	France – Brazil	2-3
24/06/58	Brazil – France	5-2 (WC 58)

Aimé JACQUET French National Team Coach

Born on 27 November 1941 at Sail-sous-Couzan (Loire)

Playing career

• 1961 – 1973 AS Saint-Etienne
• 1973 – 1976 Olympique Lyonnais

Managerial career

• 1976 – 1980 Olympique Lyonnais
• 1980 – 1989 Girondins de Bordeaux
• 1989 – 1991 Montpellier-Hérault
• 1990 – 1991 AS Nancy-Lorraine

Joined the National Technical staff at the start of the 1992/93 season. Assisted national team coach Gérard Houllier from 15 July 1992. Appointed French national team coach on 17 December 1993.

HONOURS Player

• 2 full French caps
• 5 times winner of the French championship with Saint-Etienne (1963-64, 1966-67, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70)
• 3 times winner of the French Cup with Saint-Etienne (1962, 1968, 1970)

Club manager

• 3 times champion of France with Bordeaux (1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87)
• twice winner of the French Cup with Bordeaux (1986, 1987)

National team coach

• semi-finalist of Euro 96
• winner of the Kirin Cup 94 in Japan

FOOTBALL IN FRANCE

Football in France has never looked better. The honour of staging the 16th World Cup in 1998; the number of registered players passing the symbolic barrier of 2 million; the national team’s impressive string of results; the rapidly growing interest in the sport among young people – all this means that France can now count itself among the world’s top footballing nations.

In brief – the chief reasons behind football’s success in France:

2 million registered players
By breaking the symbolic barrier of 2 million registered players, which include 1 million under- 20s, the French Football Federation has consolidated its leading position in terms of numbers. Among the 2 million enthusiasts, 800 players have turned their passion into a career. 25,000 girls also play football.

The 1998 World Cup
The image of French football abroad has never been brighter. The patent proof is FIFA’s decision to give France the privilege of staging the next World Cup, the nec plus ultra of worldwide sporting competitions. The French Football Federation has appointed the French Organising Committee – with two great French footballing names, Fernand Sastre and Michel Platini, as Presidents – to organise the event, the 16th in World Cup history.

FRANCE 98 – what it means:

• The most widely covered media event of all time : 37 billion TV viewers;
• The biggest World Cup in history : 32 qualified teams and 64 matches;
• 2.5 million spectators;
• 9,000 media representatives;
• 12,000 volunteers.

The rising generation: a priority!

Soccer schools
Training the next generation is without doubt the key to a bright future, and the football community in France has always worked on this principle. To prepare tomorrow’s elite, the FFF and its Direction Technique Nationale (national coaching centre) have pulled out all the stops. In particular, by setting up soccer schools, where young footballers receive the same education as their contemporaries, but can also devote a generous amount of time to perfecting their physical, technical and tactical skills. Under these conditions, a youngster’s promise is given every chance to flourish. The success of these soccer schools has been proved beyond doubt, and youngsters are “snapped up” by professional clubs as soon as they leave. Youth is a precious commodity!

“Premier Foot”
Premier Foot, an initiative of the FFF and the Ministry for national education launched in January 1997, enables children between 8 and 10 to play football on a regular basis within the framework of their sporting activities at school.

The Adidas Kid’s Football Challenge
In an effort to make the game of football accessible to as many children as possible, the FFF created a street football competition in 1995, with the support of Adidas, known as The Adidas Kid’s Football Challenge. More than 200,000 kids participate, whether they are registered players or not.

The principal domestic competitions

The French Cup
Created in 1917-18, the French Cup is a national festival of football where amateurs and professionals meet on an even footing. Each year, no less than 6,500 competing clubs bear witness to the cup’s popularity.

The French first and second Division
The French first and second Division, under the aegis The French Football League, provide the opportunity for the 42 top French clubs to meet throughout the season. This is an extremely popular competition, with more than 7 million spectators attending matches in the 1995-1996 season.

The French League Cup
Aimed exclusively at professional clubs, this competition allows its winner to participate in the UEFA Cup.

Centre Technique National

The Centre Technique National du Football (national coaching centre): A world class footballing workshop.

French football is lucky to have this superb coaching centre (CTNF) at Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (50 km from Paris), which has clocked up ten successful years and is now internationally famous. Many top-ranking foreign clubs and national teams have trained there. Home to the French national team before its international matches, the CTNF permanently houses the Institute National du Football (National Football Institute), an acknowledged “university” of French football.

A long history

• 1872 The first French football club is created, Le Havre AC.
• 1904 The French national team plays its first match, in Brussels, against Belgium (3-3).
• 1917 The Coupe de France (Coupe Charles Simon) is created.
• 1919 The French Football Federation is founded on 7 April.
• 1932 First Professionnal Championship
• 1938 France stages the third World Cup.
• 1958 France finishes third in the World Cup in Sweden.
• 1984 France becomes European Champion in Paris and wins the gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics.
• 1986 France finishes third in the Mexico World Cup.
• 1992 FIFA nominates France as host to the 1998 World Cup.
• 1994 The FFF counts more than 2 million registered players on its books.
• 1996 France reaches the semi-finals at the EURO 96

THE TOURNOI DE FRANCE HOST CITIES
from 3 to 11 June 1997

PARIS
England/Brazil (10 June)
France/Italy (11 June)

NANTES
Italy/England (4 June)

LYON
France/Brazil (3 June)
Brazil/Italy (8 June)

MONTPELLIER
France/England (7 June)

LYON

THE CITY Population : Inner city : 422,400 Urban area : 1,262,000

Mayor : Raymond Barre

THE CLUB Olympique Lyonnais (3 times French Cup winners)

President: Jean-Michel AULAS

THE STADIUM: Gerland Before alterations :

With 44,000 places, both seats and standing room, Gerland is classed as an historic monument and has easy access from the city centre.

After refurbishment:
When work is completed in the last quarter of 1997, Gerland will be an all-seated undercover stadium with a capacity of 44,000 for the 1998 World Cup. As the south stand will be under construction during the summer of 1997 the capacity for the Tournoi de France will be 30,000, all seated.

Distances from other Tournoi de France host cities Montpellier 300 km Nantes 613 km

Paris 462 km

TGV LINKS: With Montpellier, Nantes* and Paris.

(Involves changing)

AIR LINKS:
With Nantes and Paris.

Description of the stadium: Built in 1926 by the distinguished architect Tony Garnier, Gerland is classed as an historic monument. For the 1998 World Cup, the main renovations consist in new upper and lower tiers on the two curved sides of the stadium, which will be covered. For the Tournoi de France, Gerland’s capacity will go down from 44,000 to 30,000 because of the work being done on the south stand. The Jean-Bouin and Jean-Jaurès stands, presently undergoing restructuring, will accommodate new individual seating, hospitality boxes and improved changing room facilities.

Outside the stadium, a new esplanade is to be constructed in front of the Jean-Jaurès stand, and squares built around the ground, which can be reached from the surrounding arcade. A central surveillance post will also be installed, ensuring security both inside and outside the stadium.

MONTPELLIER

THE CITY Population: Inner city: 212,000 Urban area: 380,000

Mayor: Georges Freche

THE CLUB Montpellier-Hérault S.C. (French Cup winners)

President: Louis NICOLLIN

THE STADIUM: La Mosson Before alterations:

23,500 places with a fourth stand planned. The Stade de La Mosson is 6 km from the city centre.

After refurbishment:
Capacity will be 35,000, all seated, with the new South stand, due for completion in June 1997.

Distance from other Tournoi de France host cities: Lyon 300 km Nantes 809 km

Paris 760 km

TGV RAIL LINKS:
with Lyon and Paris (*involves changing)

AIR LINKS:
with Nantes and Paris

Description of the stadium: When its seating capacity increases from 22,000 to 35,500, the Stade de La Mosson will be leaping into a new bracket, becoming one of France’s biggest stadiums. Dating from 1990, it is the most recently-built of all venues hosting the 1998 World Cup, and after further work will be even more handsome. Almost everything is being refurbished or built from scratch, and with its new enlarged pitch, there is no doubt that La Mosson will be the modern stadium par excellence. The star piece will be a new stand with 17,300 seats, while the general lay-out of the seating in the lower stands, Corbières, Roussillon and Etang de Thau, will also be undergoing considerable alteration. Additions include a new 500m2 reception salon, a press centre and a TV studio, as well as new lighting, new sound and video monitoring systems, electronic scoreboards and signposting.

There will be special arrangements for the access of security services around the stadium.

NANTES

THE CITY Population: Inner city: 244,500 Urban area: 499,200

Mayor: Jean-Marc Ayrault

THE CLUB F.C. Nantes-Atlantique (7 French League titles, French Cup winners)

President : Jean-Pierre TOUMELIN

THE STADIUM: La Beaujoire Before alterations:

Up to 52,000 places including standing room in certain stands. La Beaujoire is 7 km from the centre, and accessible by car, bus and tram.

After refurbishment:
Capacity will be 40,000 seats after completion, due in April 1998.

Distance from other Tournoi de France host cities: Lyon 613 km Montpellier 809 km

Paris 384 km

TGV RAIL LINKS:
with Lyon* and Paris. (*involves changing)

AIR LINKS:
with Lyon, Montpellier and Paris.

Description of the stadium:
La Beaujoire stadium was inaugurated in 1984 when it hosted the European Nations Cup. Originally built to replace the dilapidated Marcel-Saupin stadium, scene of Nantes F.C.’s first triumphs on the European stage, La Beaujoire is to undergo further major improvements in the coming months. These include new pitch draining and watering systems, up-graded sound and video monitoring systems and increased lighting capacity for the playing area. A second electronic score board is also to be installed, and the stands, currently being divided up into sections, will accommodate new hospitality boxes and 10,000 new seats. The enlargement of North and South stands has already been completed. Finally, a comprehensive signposting system inside and outside the ground will optimise access to the stadium, which is 5 minutes from the city centre by car, bus or tram.

PARIS

THE CITY Population: Inner city: 2,200,000 Urban area: 9,000,000

Mayor: Jean Tiberi

THE CLUB Paris-Saint-Germain F.C. (2 French League titles, 4 times French Cup winners, winner of Cup Winners’ Cup) Presidents : Pierre Lescure Bernard Brochand

Michel DENISOT

THE STADIUM: Parc des Princes Before alterations:

Up to 48,725 places, all seated. The Parc des Princes, located to the south-west of Paris, is easily accessible by car, bus and metro.

After refurbishment:
Some sections will be enhanced, and work is due for completion in March 1998.

Distance from other Tournoi de France host cities : Lyon 462 km Montpellier 760 km

Nantes 384 km

TGV RAIL LINKS:
with Lyon, Montpellier and Nantes.

AIR LINKS:
with Lyon, Montpellier and Nantes.

Description of the stadium:
The Parc des Princes holds a special place in French affections. Since its renovation in 1972, it has been the setting for the exploits of the French national football and rugby teams. It also stages rock concerts, motorcross championships and international showjumping events. For the Tournoi de France, the Parc des Princes will be further improving the comfort of its spectators. There will be a new stand with 44 places for the physically disadvantaged, the presidential, official and press stands are to be refurbished, and the changing rooms modernised. New scoreboards and an up-graded lighting system are already installed, improving visibility throughout the stadium. Located on the Paris motorway ringroad on the outskirts of the city’s 16th arrondissement (district) to the south-west, the Parc des Princes is easily accessible.

USEFUL INFORMATION

TICKETING FOR THE TOURNOI DE FRANCE

Conditions

The tickets are to be sold individually, with a limit of 5 tickets per individual or company per match “First come, first served!”

Sales and information networks

Ticket sales by telephone open 24 April on the following number: 0 803 00 1997 – payment by card or cheque.

If there are any tickets remaining at the end of May at one or more venues, we shall be setting up parallel sales points where tickets may be bought in person at the venues concerned (which will only sell tickets for the match or matches taking place at that venue).

At the same time, information will be widely available to the general public through the Crédit Agricole network:

• information brochures and posters will be on display in 1,000 Crédit Agricole branches close to the Tournoi de France host cities;
• posters and information will be distributed to the other 7,200 Crédit Agricole branches throughout France.
• Information brochures will also be obtainable through local football leagues and districts, and in the Tournoi de France host city clubs, city halls and tourist offices.

TOURNOI DE FRANCE TICKETING

Match	Date	City	Cat. 1	Cat. 2	Cat. 3	Cat. 4
France – Brazil	3 june	Lyon	380	280	150	60
Italy – England	4 june	Nantes	300	180	110	50
France – England	7 june	Montpellier	350	250	150	50
Brazil – Italy	8 june	Lyon	300	180	110	50
England – Brazil	10 june	Paris	500	250	150	70
France – Italy	11 june	Paris	500	360	220	70

How to reserve ?

0 803 00 1997
for all matches in the tournament, up to two days before each match.

Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

beginning:
24 APRIL 1997

Methods of payment accepted ?

Bank card or cheque.

Limit per order ?

5 tickets per person per match – seats will be placed side by side if they are part of the same order.

Ticket availability at venues ?

Any tickets remaining will be put on sale at the venues at the end of May.

How to collect tickets ?

If the order is placed before the middle of May, the tickets will be sent by recorded delivery. After this date, customers will be informed as to where to collect their tickets at the venue itself (to obtain them, they will be required to present their customer reference number – assigned when the order is placed – and some form of identification).

ACCREDITATION FOR THE TOURNOI DE FRANCE

Representatives of the media (newspapers, radio, TV, photographers), who wish to cover the Tournoi de France, may make their requests for accreditation as of 1 February 1997.

Request forms may be obtained from:

• The Brazilian, English or Italian media: association in the respective countries.
• The French media:

U.S.J.S.F 1, avenue Pierre de Coubertin 75640 Paris Cedex 13 Tel : (00) 33 1 40 78 28 50

Fax : (00) 33 1 40 78 28 51

• The Media in other countries:

FRANCE 98 – Medias 17-21, avenue du Général Mangin 75204 Paris Cedex 16

Fax : (00) 33 1 44 14 18 09

Forms must be returned by 31 March 1997 at the latest.

To make hotel reservations, please contact:
MONDIRESA (Simone Le Dren) – Fax : (00) 33 1 44 25 23 91