Monday Serie A The devices were postponed after the death of Pope Francis, announced the Italian League.
Francis, the first Latin American chief of the Roman Catholic Church and a life fan for life, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday. He was 88 years old.
“After the death of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionte A can confirm that today’s championship matches in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed,” the league said in a press release.
Torino were ready to host Udinois,, Cagliari had to face Fiorentinawhile Lazio – costs of their Europa League The disappointment in the quarter -final in the middle of the week – had to go to GenoaAnd Parma had to play Juventus.
The lights were reprogrammed for Wednesday, with the COPPA Italia semi-final in the second stage between Inter Milan And AC Milan Start as initially planned.
A minute of silence will be observed before all sporting events this week, the Italian Olympic Committee said.
Serie A reign champions and current leaders of the Inter Milan League paid tribute to Francis in a Publish This described him as “a man of faith, humility and dialogue that was able to speak at the heart of everyone”.
Roma describes Francis’ death as “a loss that is deeply sad about our city and the whole world”, in a job.
“His faith, his humility, his courage and his dedication touched the hearts of millions of people, making him a moral reference of our time.”
From meetings with Diego Maradona to the passion for his beloved Buenos Aires Club, San Lorenzo, the Argentinian pontiff was a passionate football fan. And a sports promoter in general.
Francis’ passion for football became almost immediately known after being elected Pope in 2013 when the Argentinian club San Lorenzo posted a photo of him holding the crest of the club.
San Lorenzo, one of the oldest teams of Argentina Football Association, performed well after Francis was elected 266th Pope in March 2013. The team won the title in 2013, then won the Copa Libertadores for the first time later.
Club officials have traveled twice to the Vatican with trophies to thank Francis for his support. A new planned stadium from San Lorenzo should be appointed according to him.
Francis met 2022 World Cup winner Lionel Messi In 2013 at the Vatican, where they exchanged gifts. Monday, Messi expressed his condolences via his social mediaBy saying: “A pope who was different, close and Argentinian … rest in peace Papa Francisco. Thank you for making the world better. We will miss you. “
Francis also met his compatriot Argentin Maradona twice as a pope. There was a special audience as part of a charity football match in 2014 when Maradona presented a football shirt to the pontiff, wearing the name “Francisco” – the Spaniard for Francis – and the emblematic n ° 10 of Maradona.
“I think we all realize now that he is (star),” said Maradona after another meeting in 2015. “I am the big fan of Francis.”
When Maradona died in 2020, Francis remembered the legend of football in his prayers.
“Francis was a special pope, capable of lighting up in his time as only the biggest can”, former Italy Captain Gianluigi Buffon said in a Publish on Instagram. “He showed us the way with great courage and has emined our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart. ”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “deeply saddened” by the Pope’s death.
“I had the privilege of spending time with him a few times, and he has always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role that our sport plays in society,” said Instagram. “All the prayers of everyone in football are with him.”
The Argentic Football Federation announced that all the matches on Monday at all levels would be postponed “as a sign of mourning”.
“It is a huge loss in all directions, for Catholics and for us Argentines”, ” Argentina And As roma star Paulo Dybala said. His message also included a gesture to those who are closest to the Pope: “I want to send my condolences to the Vatican and his family.”
The information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report