Italian football says goodbye to one of its most silent yet decisive figures. Sergio Campana, the longtime president of the Italian Footballers' Association, died last night at the age of 91. He passed away at 3.45:XNUMX a.m. in a nursing home in Bassano del Grappa, his hometown, where he had been hospitalized for weeks due to his deteriorating health.
Campana was not only a footballer, a role he played in Serie A with Lanerossi Vicenza and Bologna, but above all, a lawyer with a clear vision: to give dignity and a voice to Italian footballers. In 1968, a year after hanging up his boots and registering as a lawyer, he founded the AIC together with two champions, Gianni Rivera and Sandro Mazzola. From that moment on, he never left the helm of the association for 43 years, becoming its emblem and guide in all its labor union battles.
The first strike in 1974 was unforgettable, when the players decided to take the field ten minutes late to protest the treatment of Franco Scala, "guilty" of refusing a forced transfer from Bologna to Avellino. It was a symbolic gesture that marked the beginning of a new era, one of rights, contractual protections, and respect for those who live football as a profession.
For nearly half a century, Sergio Campana embodied the role of a defender of footballers, capable of mediating with sports politics and fighting resolutely in a world often dominated by economic interests. With him, a cornerstone of Italian football has passed away, a man who combined sporting passion, professional rigor, and civic commitment.
Article published by Vincenzo Scarpa on July 19, 2025, at 12:30 PM
Comments (1)
Sergio Campana's death is a great loss for Italian football, but I believe his legacy will live on, given his dedication. He did so much for footballers and their rights.