Probably not one for Liverpool fans this, but adidas have announced that they are auctioning the 2022 UEFA Champions League final kick-off match ball, with all proceeds of the sale going to UNHCR.
Set to take place on World Refugee Day, 20 June, adidas are set to auction off the match ball that was used from kick off in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, a game the La Liga side won 1-0 to seal their 14th triumph in the competition. For that final, a one off ball was produced, unveiled in May following the change of venue for the final due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Using one of sport’s biggest stages as an opportunity to unite the world in a global message of peace, the ball – inscribed with the words ‘мир | PEACE’ – was not made available for retail and was used only during the match in Paris, making it something of a collectors piece.
Now it’s set to be available to bidders from across the globe, with the auction set to take place live at 2pm BST on World Refugee Day, 20 June 2022, with Graham Budd Auctions accepting bids starting at £15,000 in the lead-up. All proceeds of the sale will go to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
The ball was used for the kick-off of the 2022 UCL final. The first time it went out of play, it was then collected up by the ball boy and given to the venue match director (who signed the certificate of authenticity). Each of the ball boys and girls had a replacement ball (standard practice as 12 balls are in circulation during a match) and was briefed on what would be happening so the change could be made for another ball. It was then taken back to their office and transferred to adidas on site.
Gonzalo Calvo, Global Director Of Brand Communications, Communities and Culture at adidas said, “Since it began, the love of the game has brought people from all over the world together through one simple object – a football. Now, we look to turn this unity into action in order to support a cause that needs urgent attention. With the UEFA Champions League Final Official Match Ball not made available for retail, the Kick Off ball presents a unique opportunity to own a small piece of sporting history, and to help those suffering across the globe.”
Head to grahambuddauctions.co.uk/uclfinalball on 22 June at 2pm BST if you've got a spare £15,000+ in your pocket and you fancy owning a piece of sporting memorabilia.
A donation page has also been set up via donate.unhcr.org/global/en/uefa-champions-league-final-match-ball for viewers and bidders to support the cause even if they do not participate or win.
