Media Release Date: 25/03/2008 Communiqué aux médias No. 033 Medien-Mitteilung

ACF Fiorentina and UEFA united for the Artemio Franchi Memorial

Twenty-five years on from the death of Artemio Franchi, and with the patronage of UEFA, ACF Fiorentina are to organise a special event, on 30 July, to commemorate the unforgotten sporting official.

In the stadium named after him, the Artemio Franchi Memorial match will take place in the presence of the UEFA Executive Committee and UEFA President , between ACF Fiorentina and FC Barcelona. The prestigious Spanish club accepted with pleasure to participate in the initiative proposed by Fiorentina, and by UEFA, to remember one of the great figures in the history of world football.

“We are happy to have received the invite from President Andrea Della Valle and UEFA President Michel Platini, and to be able to remember together Artemio Franchi with a sporting event without precedents,” said Joan Laporta i Estruch, President of FC Barcelona.

The match will take place under the banners of fair play and anti-racism. These values are not only valid in the spirit of 2008, European Year of intercultural dialogue, but are also an expression of the union of intent that binds together UEFA and Fiorentina in promoting the culture of fair play and respect for the opponent.

A few months ago, the President of Fiorentina, Andrea Della Valle, expressed to Michel Platini, President of UEFA, the desire to host an event in memory of Artemio Franchi in Florence, obtaining not long after the unanimous approval of the entire UEFA Executive Committee. “For Fiorentina it is an honour to be able to organise and host such an event in memory of Artemio Franchi,” confirmed Andrea Della Valle.

This summer will be the 25th anniversary of the passing away of the Italian sporting official who guided football at the highest possible levels at national and international level covering, among many, the duties of President of the FIGC (from 1973) and Vice-president of FIFA (from 1974) and President of UEFA (from 1973 to 1983) until his tragic death in an automobile accident in August 1983.

For further information on the event please contact: Salvatore Cuccu ACF Fiorentina Tel: +39-055-50 30 11 email: [email protected]

For further information: UEFA Media Services: ++41 848 04 27 27