International fooball stars will be playing a match in France next week to honor the late Marc-Vivien Foe of Cameroon. The match is scheduled to be played at Lyon's Stade Gerland on November 11.
Foe collapsed and died at the age of 28 during Cameroon's 1-0 Confederations Cup semifinal win against Colombia in Lyon on June 26. Also nicknamed "Marco," the midfielder was a very popular and respected player known around the soccer world.
The sports daily L'Equipe reports the event is being arranged not only to honor the memory of Foe but also to raise money for his family. Cameroon colleagues will play against a team comprising Foe's teammates from three club sides he represented, Lens, Lyon and Manchester City, and several big-name stars from top European clubs.
Helping to organize the match is former France and Marseille defender Basile Boli. L'Equipe says the match is expected to raise about $230,000 in ticket sales. So far, football's governing body, FIFA, has donated about $700,000 to help Foe's widow and three children.
Foe starred at the 1994 and 2002 World Cups and won the last two African championships with Cameroon. He also played for West Ham United in the English Premier League. Foe joined European club soccer in 1994 and played in 201 league matches, scoring 24 goals.