jose mourinho in israel

jose mourninho came to israel as a guest of the peres centre for peace.

heres my article in full from EJP


Coaching football for peace
By Jeremy Last in Tel Aviv
Updated: 29/Mar/2005 10:42

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (C) with Israel's vice-premier Shimon Peres (R)
Photo: Jeremy Last, EJP
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One of Europe's top football coaches visited Israel this week to encourage peace and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.
Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese manager of London-based team Chelsea, spent two days touring the country and showing his support for programmes organised by a peace centre headed by Israeli vice-premier Shimon Peres.
The trip attracted massive media interest, not only as it is the first visit of this type by a European football legend, but also because of the controversy that Mourinho has generated since he started working in the UK in August.
He is currently being investigated by UEFA, the European football federation, on a number of charges including harsh criticism of a Swedish referee.
But Mourinho put his troubles aside as he handed out medals to Palestinian and Israeli children who play together on Sundays. Later that afternoon he played in a five-a-side tournament with older players from both sides of the conflict.
Bridging the divide
Speaking at the medal ceremony at the Vinter stadium in Tel Aviv, Mounrinho said he hoped to use his fame as a sports’ coach to encourage peace in the Middle East.
“I want to thank Mr. Shimon Peres for giving me the chance to come to this country. My sports world is very different to this one and it is great to come to the pure reality.” he said.
“Sometimes in my world we think we are very important people. I think the real heroes of life are the people who work for very important causes.”
The Chelsea supreme spent just a few days in Israel but stressed that he would like to come back.
“I will be quite far in London or Portugal but I will be thinking of all of you and every time you need my support you can count on it,” he declared.
Extra lessons
As well as speaking about the Middle East conflict, Mourinho also gave a lecture on football tactics and management to Israeli and Palestinian coaches.
Betar Jerusalem coach Eli Ohana, who was among the audience, told EJP: “I am very impressed by Jose Mourinho. It will definitely help bridge the divide between the Israelis and Palestinians, how much we will know in the future.”
Ron Pundak of the Peres centre said he hopes the trip will prove a point to people in the region and in the rest of the world.
“We are trying to send a message to world Jewry that there is a chance for peace in this area,” he told EJP.
“We are here using sport as a vehicle, it is almost a language. We are creating a common ground and dialogue between the two sides. Football speaks to everybody and when people play together it sends a message,” he added.
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