The FIGC and Italian football mourn the passing of Carlo Tavecchio, who passed away overnight at the age of 79: he had been hospitalised in a Brianza hospital for a few days. Currently President of the Lombardy Regional Committee of the National Amateur League, he had been President of the Federation from August 2014 to January 2018.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing away of a true football fan like Carlo Tavecchio," said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. "We lose, in him, a friend with great human qualities, very committed to social issues, and a well-prepared manager, who was able to give voice and dignity to amateur clubs and who never gave up innovating. The impetus for the development of women's football in Italy through the union with professional men's clubs, the introduction of Goal Line Technology and Var in Italy, as well as the choice in the international field to support the current UEFA and FIFA summits, were his successful intuitions”.

Gravina's condolences are joined by those of Giancarlo Abete and Franco Carraro, former presidents. "With Carlo goes an important part of our history and his farewell leaves a huge void" the words of the current president of the National Amateur League, Giancarlo Abete. "We will miss his tireless commitment to the league and amateur football, an example that will remain unforgettable in terms of dedication, enthusiasm and competence. My affectionate thoughts go out to all those who knew and appreciated him and who have travelled long distances with him, in the certainty of always keeping his memory, skills and commitment alive”.

"Carlo Tavecchio was a friend of mine and a great manager," continued the current President of the Paralympic and Experimental Football Division of the FIGC, Franco Carraro, "He adored football immensely, especially amateur football, to such an extent that he did not want to miss the assembly of the Lombardy Regional Committee that he presided over despite the fact that his physical condition was not the best. If his competence and passion are followed up, football will have a great future”.

Born in 1943 in Ponte Lambro (Como), a municipality of which he was also mayor, as well as founder and president of the ASD Pontelambrese - a local football team -, Tavecchio began his federal career as a councillor of the LND's Lombardy Regional Committee, later becoming its president in 1996. Three years later he was elected president of the National Amateur League: a position he held until August 2014, when he was elected president of the FIGC. In 2007, he was appointed by UEFA as a full member of the Commission for Amateur and Youth Football.

The FIGC has ordered that a minute's silence be observed before all national league matches scheduled for the weekend (including Monday's postponements) to remember Tavecchio. In addition, as a sign of mourning, the flags of the building in Via Allegri - the headquarters of the Federation - and the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano are held at half-mast.