SOCCER: Spurs defend Peace Cup involvement

UTV, Ireland/July 20, 2005

Tottenham today defended their involvement in the Peace Cup, even though the tournament is run by a controversial religious cult more commonly known as the moonies.

The South Korea-based pre-season competition is organised and funded by the Sun Moon Soccer Foundation which was set up by Reverend Sun Myung Moon, mastermind of the Unification Church.

Moon, whose followers are known as "moonies", was banned from entering the UK in 1995 following accusations, proven in court, that his cult was involved in brainwashing and sought to break up families.

The Cult Information Centre believe Spurs have made an error of judgement by competing in the Peace Cup but the Barclays Premiership club have backed their decision to travel to the Far East.

"The Peace Cup 2005 is endorsed and sanctioned both by FIFA and the Korean FA," a club spokesman told London`s Evening Standard

"The club is entirely satisfied the tournament has been organised by a company recognised and endorsed by FIFA, football`s world governing body, and that it is professionally run in accordance with the game`s regulations."