Fiorentina to honour Franchi

Great figure
In the Florence stadium named after him, the Artemio Franchi Memorial match will take place between ACF Fiorentina and FC Barcelona in the presence of the UEFA Executive Committee and UEFA President Michel Platini. The Spanish club accepted with pleasure the honour of participating in the initiative proposed by Fiorentina, and by UEFA, to remember one of the great figures in the history of world football. Barcelona president Joan Laporta said: "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 precedent."

Fair Play
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 opponents. A few months ago, Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle expressed to Mr Platini 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 Mr Della Valle.

Guided football
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. He was italian Football Federation president and FIFA vice-president as well as UEFA President until his tragic death in an automobile accident in August 1983.