It is with heavy heart that we inform our Members and Committed Supporters of the passing of our Honorary Chair, Dr Franco Frattini (1957-2022).
Dr Franco Frattini was the first Chair of SIGA, being initially elected in 2017 and re-elected by unanimity and acclamation for a second term in July 2021. He received the SIGA Special Recognition Award last October and was appointed Honorary Chair after having presided his last meeting of the SIGA Council.
In this moment of mourning, SIGA evokes the inspiring last words he dedicated to our Global Movement:
“I am extremely proud of the remarkable impact and growth of SIGA in recent years, and I feel very honoured to have stood shoulder to shoulder with our Global CEO, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, and all our fellow Council members and the entire SIGA global community on this journey we first embarked upon together all those years ago. I have absolutely no doubt that SIGA will go from strength to strength and continue its pioneering leadership in the field of Sport Integrity. The need for SIGA is greater than ever. Keep pressing for change, for greater honesty, for greater integrity, because, without integrity, Sport is nothing. You will always have my unconditional support and sincere recognition”.
On behalf of SIGA, Global CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros stated:
“Words cannot express our profound feeling of loss. Franco was a true friend, an exceptional human being, and an inspiring global leader. He will be forever missed by all of us at SIGA and by all those who had the privilege of being his friends.
He leaves us a long-lasting legacy of public service and exemplary dedication to noble causes. He devoted his entire career to democracy, rule of law and human rights, fighting always for the right values, countering organised crime and promoting Sport Integrity.
Franco will be forever remembered. We will honour his memory and build upon his legacy in the months and years ahead. As I said recently: to achieve reform and positive change, Sport needs Heroes that are willing to walk the talk, and Franco was undoubtedly one of the greatest! He will be always a model for all those who, like me and all of us at SIGA, fight for Sport Integrity and overall Justice.
In this difficult moment, we extend a heartfelt word of condolences to his wife Stella, daughter Carlotta and his entire family, colleagues and friends.”
Franco Frattini was the current President of the Italian Supreme Court of Justice and Justice and Chamber President to the Italian Supreme Administrative Court (Conseil d’Etat). He served twice as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy (2002-2004 and 2008-2011) and was also Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security between 2004 and 2008. Previously, he had served as Secretary-General of the Italian Prime Minister’s Office (1994), President of the Parliamentary Committee for Intelligence and Security Services and State Secrets (1996), Minister for Civil Service and for the Coordination of Information and Security Services (2001-2002), and Member of the Prime Minister Commission for the Constitutional reforms (2013 – 2014). From 2011 to 2013, Franco Frattini acted as President of the De Gasperi Foundation.
He accumulated such roles with the Presidency of the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), a non-profit organization of internationalist character, working under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He was also Special Advisor to the Serbian Government for the EU integration process, and President of the High Court of Sport Justice (CONI). Dr Franco Frattini also served as judge of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne.
Dr Franco Frattini received the “Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” and was distinguished with the “Commander of the Legion of Honour” by the President of France. In 2011 Frattini received the “Golden Neck Chain of the Olympic Order”, the highest honour of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The award was a recognition of his personal commitment and of Italy’s efforts to have the IOC awarded Observer status at the United Nations. Franco Frattini is also decorated with the “Order of Friendship”, a State decoration of the Russian Federation.
Related stories:
- Franco Frattini interview – 22 June 2021
- Franco Frattini closing session – SIGAWomen Summit on Female Leadership in Sport, March 2022
- SIGA calls for united front against corruption in Sport
- The involvement of organized crime groups in Sports corruption
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world´s leading organisation for Sports Integrity. Supported by more than 200 international multi-industry supporters, we are creating a whole new landscape for the global sports industry by promoting the implementation of the highest integrity standards and delivering independent global rating and certification for Sport.
Funded by its members, SIGA is the only organisation to bring together all key stakeholder groups – Sport, Government, International Organisations, Global Business and Civil Society – from every region in the world, around one critical, fundamental Cause: to foster greater Integrity throughout Sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for profit association, funded by its members, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
Click on the hyperlinks for the list of SIGA Members and Committed Supporters and SIGA Partners.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com.
To contact SIGA, please email: comms@siga-sport.com.