Italian game mourns passing of Borgogno

The former general secretary of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Dario Borgogno, has died in Rome at the age of 87.

Borgogno, who passed away on 5 January, was a widely respected football administrator. Among the highlights of a distinguished career, he served as FIGC general secretary under the presidency of former UEFA president Artemio Franchi, and also led the organising committee for the 1990 FIFA World Cup which Italy hosted.

He had joined the national federation in 1959 as personal secretary to then president Umberto Agnelli, following his first administrative steps with Turin amateur club Cenisia. At the FIGC he would occupy a range of roles as his career progressed. He was appointed vice general secretary in 1961, worked as secretary of the National Amateur League from 1963 to 1971, and became general secretary in 1971 under Artemio Franchi's tutelage. Franchi went on to serve as UEFA president between 1972 and 1983.

Borgogno held that position until 1987, meaning he was part of the Italian delegation at the 1982 World Cup in Spain when the Azzurri became world champions for a third time. Italy's coach of the day, Enzo Bearzot, died in December.

After leaving the FIGC, Borgogno worked for AS Roma as managing director from 1987 to 1989. He then spearheaded the 1990 World Cup organising committee, again as managing director. "With the passing of Dario Borgogno, a piece of football history and of the FIGC disappears," the FIGC said in tribute.