Italian soccer also honors the memory of Alex Zanardi

The passing away at just 59 years of age of Alex Zanardi, the great champion of first motorsports and then Paralympic cycling, has struck across the entire world of sports, so much so that even the Italian Football Federation, to honor his memory, has arranged a minute of mourning before all weekend competitions, regardless of category.

“The FIGC and president Gabriele Gravina join in the condolences for the passing away at the age of 59 of Alex Zanardi, inimitable sports champion,” reads the official channels of the Federation, which also report the mourning expressed by the resigning president. At the invitation of CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, a minute’s silence has been ordered before all competitions scheduled for the weekend (including Monday’s postponements) in the professional, amateur and Paralympic leagues to honor his memory.”

Although not directly linked to football affairs, Alex Zanardi was linked to Bologna, the team of his city, of which he was a fan. In interviews and books he had then expressed his appreciation for champions of the caliber of Roberto Baggio (who had passed through Bologna, among others, in his long career), Alessandro De Piero and Francesco Totti.

Zanardi had also told several stories related to football, both Italian and international, during the period of his hosting of Sfide, the historic Rai 3 program that the Bologna champion had hosted between 2012 and 2016.