Barca chief on peace mission

This week, while Barcelona were losing 2-0 in Milan in their Champions League last 16 first leg, and manager Tito Vilanova was continuing his cancer treatment in New York, club president Sandro Rosell visited Israel, on a mission to bring peace to the Middle East.

Rosell travelled directly from Milan to Tel Aviv, where he announced plans for a game next summer between Barça and a special selection made up of both Israeli and Palestinian players. Funds raised by the proposed tie, provisionally set for July 31, will go towards projects to help young Israelis and Palestinians, with the aim of laying foundations for a lasting peace in the region.

On Thursday Rosell met with Israeli president Shimon Peres, who praised the initiative.