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Greek players raise funds to fight coronavirus

COVID-19 News

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The Greek football player union is raising funds for the national health service to help in the fight against coronavirus COVID-19.

The union PSAP organised a six-hour livestream to raise money featuring leading football players from Greek clubs and members of Greece’s 2004 European Championship-winning team.

“Every day we hear on the news that our health service is in need of masks and other equipment,” said Giannis Braho, head of player services at the PSAP union. “It’s our duty to help.”

Vasilis Torosidis, the Olympiakos team captain, and his teammates donated 12,000 euros to the fund.

Thoimai Vardali, who plays for PAOK and the women’s national team, also showed her solidarity in the Friday-night event, which took place with the country in lockdown.

Those who appeared on the livestream, which was co-organized by football website gazzetta.gr, talked about their support for the health care workers on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the public made donations to a bank account or made phone calls to a premium line.

Demis Nikolaidis and Giorgios Karagounis, players in the Euro 2004 team, also participated, along with athletes from basketball and volleyball.

PSAP President Giorgos Bantis and FIFPRO Europe board member Spyros Neofitidis represented the national and international player union.

Last month, PSAP donated an additional 10,000 euros to the Greek national healthcare service for surgical gloves and masks.