41 years ago a tragedy left its mark on not only Italian sport, nor only  an entire nation, but on football as a whole: on 29 May 1985, the Heysel disaster took place, in which 39 people lost their lives on an evening that was meant to be one of celebration.

“At Heysel, 39 people died and 39 families suddenly found themselves mourning a son, a daughter, a father, a wife. It is important to underline that the victims of that terrible tragedy were many more than those listed on the plaque placed beneath the infamous Sector Z of the Brussels stadium and that, also out of respect for the families of those who lost their lives that day, we have a duty to keep one of the darkest chapters in our football history firmly in mind.”

On the 41st anniversary of the Heysel tragedy, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina remembered the victims of the unrest that broke out on 29 May 1985, before the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus.

“Sport,” continued the FIGC President, “is celebration, joy and unity. Criminals must be kept out of stadiums because every supporter has the right to experience the emotions of a match in complete safety.”

FOOTBALL MUSEUM. To commemorate the Heysel tragedy, the Italy number 39 shirt — laid by the Azzurri delegation at the Brussels stadium in November 2015 ahead of a friendly against Belgium — will be displayed throughout the day at the entrance to the exhibition route inside the Coverciano museum.

At 11:00 CEST this morning, the Football Museum conference hall will host an event entitled ‘Remembering Heysel: Memory and Civic-Sporting Education’, which is free to attend. Joining the discussion will be Football Museum Foundation President Matteo Marani, President of the Association of Families of the Heysel Victims Andrea Lorentini and journalist Roberto Beccantini. With the aim of keeping alive – especially among younger generations – the memory of what happened in Belgium, first-year students from the Saffi Hospitality Institute in Florence will also take part in the morning session.