It’s now official: Joey Saputo, Bologna’s boss since 2014, is an honorary citizen of Bologna. “The City Council in today’s session unanimously approved the resolution to confer honorary citizenship to Joey Saputo, president of Bologna FC since 2014, proposed by the Mayor,” reads the press release from the City of Bologna. As the number one of Bologna is currently in Canada, the delivery of the Honorary Citizenship will take place in September.
Reasons
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As stated in the motivations, “Saputo’s determination meant that the club was always projected towards the future, in the continuous search for that balance that would lead to the coveted ranking positions strongly desired by the president. Also in his experience at the helm of Bologna BFC , alongside the sporting commitment there was no lack of participation in charitable initiatives in favor of the area”. Mayor Matteo Lepore added: “Saputo is a figure who in recent years has been able to bring prestige to our city, invest in the club, the headquarters, the playing fields and also present a proposal of public interest regarding the Dall’ stadium Ara and the temporary stadium. It is certainly an important story of his, a story that has seen in these ten years lead a sports club to important successes, such as the recent qualification for the Champions League. But I believe that this season, as well as the ten years we have behind us, have represented an important result for the city as a whole.”
EMOTION
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And here is Joey Saputo’s thanks through the official channel of Bologna. “I have already had the opportunity to thank Mayor Lepore when he proposed the awarding of honorary citizenship – says Joey Saputo – and today I extend my thanks to the entire City Council that voted unanimously on the proposal. As I said then, it is a great honor and pride for me to become an honorary citizen of Bologna, also because I have felt an integral part of this Community for a long time. The day of the official award ceremony will represent for me a moment of great emotion, but also the opportunity to express my gratitude to all the citizens of Bologna”.
