Palermo FC today had the honour of welcoming the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who visited the Palermo Museum and the Renzo Barbera stadium in Palermo, welcomed by the president of the Rosanero club Dario Mirri and a delegation of young athletes from the Palermo FC youth sector. The Italian Head of State took advantage of his presence in the Sicilian capital during the Easter period to accept the club's invitation for an informal visit to the football home for the city of Palermo.
After a group photo on the pitch of the Barbera stadium, President Mattarella walked through the historical route of the Palermo Museum together with President Mirri and Palermo FC CEO Giovanni Gardini, and then completed the visit in the foyer overlooking Monte Pellegrino and the pitch.
“It is a pleasure to return to the unique setting of the Barbera, where I have so many memories”, said President Mattarella as he entered the field of Palermo's stadium.
"President Mattarella's visit," said Dario Mirri, "is an extraordinary event for all of us at the club and fills us with pride for our country and for our great city of Palermo. It was a true pleasure for us to host the President of the Italian Republic at our home at Stadio Renzo Barbera for the very first time. His visit honoured the identity of our club and seeing him on our pitch is something we will always remember. I want to thank President Mattarella on behalf of the entire Rosanero family for adding another great moment in our club’s history.”
During the course of the visit, Palermo FC presented President Mattarella with this season's jersey, designed by the artist TvBoy as a tribute to Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo, as well as a ball with the signatures of all the players and a copy of 'Aquile', the book written by Palermo Museum's scientific coordinator Giovanni Tarantino for Palermo's 120 years of history.