Robert Pires hosts Grassroot Soccer charity match
Thursday 3 December 2015 15:57, UK
Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires told us his #one2eleven this week, with places for the likes of Tony Adams, Youri Djorkaeff and Dennis Bergkamp.
The Gunners legend has also been busy with his fellow Invincible Freddie Ljungberg, hosting a charity match for Grassroot Soccer - an initiative that combines education and football to help fight HIV and AIDS across the world.
The former Arsenal duo attended the Grassroot Soccer fundraising gala for World AIDS Day on Tuesday, with one auction lot offering the opportunity to play an eight-a-side match with the pair of former pros.
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Founded by four professional football players in 2002, Grassroot Soccer works with 13 to 18-year-olds and local coaches to educate young people, giving them the knowledge, skills and support they need to avoid HIV.
With three flagship sites in west Africa, South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as other partnerships across the globe, Grassroot Soccer uses the game of football as a gateway to help deliver HIV prevention education to youths in some of the most remote parts of the world.
Pires is one of several Pro Ambassadors, alongside current Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs and Manchester City's Bacary Sagna.
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Speaking about the campaign, Pires said: "For me, soccer has always been a way I can express myself. Grassroot Soccer uses the language and beauty of the game to break down barriers, build trust, and educate young people to adopt healthy behaviors.
"Soccer becomes part of the solution."
Tune in to The Fantasy Football Club on Sky Sports 1 HD at 6pm on Friday to see Pires' full #one2eleven, and find out more about Grassroot Soccer at www.grassrootsoccer.org.
