The Italy national team will play a friendly in Brussels 30 years after the Heysel tragedy. 39 people, mostly fans from Italy, died before kick-off of the European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool on 29th May 1985. With the agreement of the Belgian Federation, FIGC have drawn up a programme in order to commemorate the victims of that tragic evening; there will be two main moments of remembrance.

After arriving in Brussels, the Italy national team, FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio, FIGC CEO Michele Uva, Juventus, which will be represented by Paolo Galimberti and Mariella Scirea, and the association, along with relatives of the victims of the Heysel tragedy led by Andrea Lorentini, will lay down flowers at the gravestone at the Z Terrace that remembers that tragedy (around 18:45 CET). On this occasion, the Azzurri number 39 will be retired, as decided last May upon a proposal from the federation’s president.

There will be additional moments of remembrance: firstly, an announcement will be made as the players enter the pitch. Then, in the 39th minute of the game, the whole stadium and both teams will remember that tragic night from 30 years ago once again, whilst the stadium’s big screens will show one by one the names of all 39 victims, regardless of their citizenship or club allegiance.