Italy mourns Heysel victims on 40th anniversary

Published 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Italy mourned the victims of the Heysel Stadium disaster in which 39 people were killed on the tragedy’s 40th anniversary on Thursday.

Committee members of a group promoting remembrance of the disaster hold scarves with the victims’ names. (Photo: ANSA)

The victims, including 32 Italians (two of whom were minors), were crushed to death when Liverpool supporters charged at Juventus fans, leading a wall to collapse before the 1985 European Cup final between the teams in Brussels.

Juventus inaugurated a monument entitled Verso altrove (Towards elsewhere), dedicated to the victims near to the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Thursday as part of the events marking the anniversary.

Turin Mayor Stefano Lo Russo, Piedmont Governor Alberto Cirio, John Elkann, the CEO of the Agnelli family holding company Exor that controls Juventus, Club CEO Maurizio Scanavino and Chairman Gianluca Ferrero, former Italy and Juve captain Giorgio Chiellini and former Liverpool and Juventus forward Ian Rush were among the people present at the ceremony.

“The pain of the Heysel tragedy is still alive,” said Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina.

“What happened 40 years ago in Brussels is a wound that has not yet healed in the lives of the victims’ families and in the common experience of the entire European football family.

“May the memory and testimony of those terrible events serve as a perennial warning, so that a sporting celebration never again becomes an occasion of suffering.”

ANSA

Community / Australia / A day of celebration for the SIAC community in Sylvania Waters

A warm, convivial atmosphere at Doltone House with Senior Italian Australian Community (SIAC) members, friends and live music saw more than 150 attendees.

Community / Australia / Italian Social Club Altona celebrates The Feast of Saint Nicholas of Bari

On Sunday, December 7, great enthusiasm and a record attendance set the scene for the most eagerly awaited event of the year for the Italian community of Altona: The Feast of Saint Nicholas of Bari.

Community / Australia / Competition, innovation and community spirit

The Veneto Club in Bulleen hosted the 2025 edition of the Bocce Slam on November 29 and 30, an event that has by now become a fixture on the Italo-Australian sporting calendar.

Community / Australia / St Peter the Apostle Primary School hosts an evening of Christmas carols

On Thursday, December 4, under the pleasant glow of an early Australian summer sunset, more than 2000 people—adults and children alike—gathered in the large courtyard of St Peter the Apostle Primary School in East Keilor.

Community / Australia / Celebrating the magic of Christmas

The final monthly gathering of the ladies at the Abruzzo Club, held on Thursday, December 11, was a sell out with 120 participants.

Community / Australia / “Let yourself be amazed by the Universe”

The Italian Consulate, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, organised an evening to celebrate National Space Day.

Food & Drink / A proposito di vino: Rachel Signer and her love of natural wines

We are living in a time when people are paying increasing attention to what they eat, often rediscovering habits from not so long ago, when, for example, fresh bread was made at home every day.

Community / Australia / Tradition and joy at Padovani Christmas picnic

On Sunday, November 30, in the Baracca outdoor space at the Veneto Club, a delightful lunch was organised by the Padovani Association.

Community / Australia / The Feast of Santa Barbara celebrated in Riverwood

The traditional Festa di Santa Barbara di Francavilla was held in recent days at the Conca D’Oro Lounge in Riverwood.

Community / Australia / The protagonists of Italian excellence

The Italian Chamber of Commerce of Queensland and the Northern Territory hosted its traditional Christmas Networking Lunch and the Business Excellence Awards 2025.

Comments