International mourning on news of death of Ferenc Puskás

Vágólapra másolva!

2006.12.05. 15:40

Címkék

The Hungarian Football Federation, the Budapest Honvéd, the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development reckon Puskás, who died at the age of 79, as their own dead. The news of death of the one of the best football players ever was reported on stressed places by every international and national news-agency, every news-portal of the leading European newspapers, as well as by the website of Real Madrid and numerous other football clubs, and by the internet site of FIFA and UEFA.

The announcement of Ferenc Puskás’ family

‘We know and feel that also in the moments of our deep mourning, numbers of friends and respecters are mourning together with us for Ferenc Puskás, for the great sportsman, the inspired coach, the true patriot, the wonderful husband and father. We know that many people would like to and try to express their commiseration, which we, the mourning family, consider in honour. It is a heart-warming pride but also a serious responsibility at the same time. We would like to ask the respecters and the representatives of the media to respect the wish of the family for a silent, discreet mourning during these painful days. We also asked our friend, Pál Schmitt, the president the Hungarian Olympic Committee, and former ambassador in Madrid to lead the remembrance committee with the help of which we try to prepare and direct the memorial service of our dear deceased. The committee will get together in a few days in Budapest, and will share all the most important facts with the representatives of the media. I would like to thank for all the commiserating messages and strength giving helpfulness on behalf of the family:
Mrs. Ferencné Puskás’

First, the British Reuters reported about the sad event only in a one-line text written in capitals, then in a news flash indicated by red signs, the Reuters described him as one of the greatest football players of all times, who was the leader of the ‘Magic Magyars’ and who was recognised the fourth top scorer of the 20th century because of his merits by the IFFHS, which is an international federation dealing with football history and statistics.

The American AP wrote about Ferenc Puskás’s invalidism lasting from 2000 onwards, mentioning as well that the captain of the Golden Team had been on the intensive care of the Kútvölgyi Hospital since September.

The French AFP – according to the MTI – wrote about ‘The Galloping Major’ as the Hungarian legend who was a real star not only in his country, but also in Real Madrid.

Following, it presented the most important stages of the decease’s life in a separate column.

The German DPA labelled Puskás as one of the most popular sportsman of Hungary, under whose leading the national team couldn’t be beaten during 32 matches till the 1954 World Cup final in Bern, where the German team broke off this period.

The news agency added that the later colonel of the Hungarian Army was a perfectly qualified forward.

The Spanish EFE commemorates him as a football myth, who won La Liga six times and the European Cup three times with Real Madrid between 1958-1966, furthermore, the biggest stadium of the country was renamed after him seven years ago, and his footprint was placed on the Champions Promenade in Monte Carlo, where it is given place for the outstanding figures of the history of football.

The Italian ASA mentions Ferenc Puskás as the greatest player of all times and as a legend of Hungarian football, who ‘was the main inspiration of the football along the Danube’, and who made Real Madrid to a star team in the second half of the 1950s.

The Austrian APA calls the great player died at the age of 79, the most famous Hungarian sportsman, who led the national team to become Olympic Champions in 1952. It emphasizes separately that he is the only football player to this day who scored four goals in the history of European Cup finals: he scored four goals in 1960, when Real Madrid beat 7-3 Eintracht Frankfurt in European Cup final in Glasgow.

The members of parliament commemorated Ferenc Puskás with a one-minute silent stand. János Áder, the vice-chairman of the Hungarian Parliament, having interrupted the parliamentary discussion over the budget of 2007, announced the news of his death.

‘I’m unbelievably sad about Ferenc Puskás’s death’ said István Kisteleki, the president of the Hungarian Football Federation, to the MTI.

‘Of course, the Hungarian Football Federation tries to help the family with every possible means. I think that after such a tragedy, everyone should stop for a minute, and think over certain things, because not everything is happening in this country the way it should. It is true hundredfold to Hungarian football.’ ---- &