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Italian team commemorates victims of Heysel tragedy

Upon arrival at the King Baudouin Stadium, the Italian delegation held a memorial moment on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the Heysel tragedy, which took place in Brussels almost 40 years ago. National coach Luciano Spalletti, former top goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and national president Gabriele Gravina laid a bouquet at the monument in front of the King Baudouin Stadium. The Belgian Football Association also presented a floral wreath.

The Heysel drama is the biggest disaster in Belgian football history. During riots surrounding the European Cup I final between Liverpool and Juventus on May 29, 1985 in the then Heysel Stadium in Brussels, 39 people were killed, including 32 Italians. In 2005, a memorial was unveiled in front of the stadium to commemorate the tragedy. The monument consists of a thirteen-meter-high sundial on a pedestal of white Italian natural stone. The number 39, referring to the number of victims, appears several times in the monument.

Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), and the Italian Ambassador, Favi Federica, also attended the commemoration. “We take a moment to pause to remember a profound tragedy,” Verlinden said. “These are memories that will remain in our hearts forever. Today we are here in unity. Sport should unite, not divide. That day, which was supposed to be a celebration, ended in a tragedy. We have an obligation to continue to remember the victims Such a disaster must never happen again.”

The Italian team no longer trained in the King Baudouin Stadium on Wednesday. The players took a walk on the field. This was followed by the press conference with national coach Luciano Spalletti.