Pope Francis to invite Shaikh Mohammed for football match

Abu Dhabi - Arabic newspaper Al Ittihad had earlier quoted Maradona as saying that he nominated Emirati footballer Ismail Mattar to take part in the match.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will receive an invitation from Pope Francis to attend a football match for peace that will be held in Rome on October 12.
According to Arabic news website Elaph, football legend Diego Maradona of Argentina, who is also Dubai sports ambassador, will deliver the invitation to Shaikh Mohammed.
"The presence of Shaikh Mohammed and Pope Francis at the match will boost the rhythm of tolerance between the Islamic and Christian worlds," the report said, quoting a popular Argentinian newspaper.
Arabic newspaper Al Ittihad had earlier quoted Maradona as saying that he nominated Emirati footballer Ismail Mattar to take part in the match.
Football legends like Ronaldinho, Fabio Capello, Gianluca Zambrotta and Francesco Totti are among the stars who will play the match.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com 

• Dubai