Going, going … gone, finally

Date: 10/10/1996

Plenty of Commissioners turned out for what has already become - in only its second year - a major social event in the Commission's calender.

Players included Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler, who was solid in defence for the 'Mad Mooos' team and Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock, who made some spectacular saves as goalkeeper for his 'Perpetual Motion' team and constantly urged them on to greater efforts in his own inimitable style.

Spectators included Competition Commissioner Karel van Miert, who said he would have loved to have played but dare not risk adding a broken leg to his newly-mended broken arm, Economics Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy, whose teenage daughter Stephanie scored a fine goal in his cabinet's match against the Voice Squad, Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek, and Wulf-Mathies, whose cabinet organised the event.

But Commission President Jacques Santer's attempt to boost the takings by putting a ball signed by all 20 Commissioners up for auction nearly turned into an embarrasing own goal.

With the bidding stuck at a meagre 38 ecu for what seemed like an eternity, Wulf-Mathies threatened to withdraw the not-so-coveted ball from the auction unless someone raised the amount substantially. Eventually, the bidding crept up to 128 ecu and Wulf-Mathies relented.