Italy squad lays flowers at site of Heysel tragedy ahead of Belgium match | OneFootball

Italy paid tribute to those who died in the Heysel tragedy in 1985, vowing that the events of that day ‘must never happen again,’ as the Nations League match with Belgium is on that same ground.

The Nations League tie kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

The stadium was reconstructed and given a different name, but it effectively remains the site of the old Heysel Stadium, where 39 Juventus fans were killed in the European Cup Final against Liverpool on May 29, 1985.

Coach Luciano Spalletti, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon and all the Italy players laid flowers at the plaque honouring their memory today.

“It must remain in everyone’s memory, we owe that respect to all those who lost their lives and their families, to ensure it never happens again,” said Spalletti at the start of today’s press conference.

“Football is made up of beautiful things, there are sad moments too like this one that we must prevent. The stadium is a place where we come to enjoy ourselves and love this sport that means so much to people.

“I remember that night all too well, it was devastating for everyone involved in football and we must use that to protect what is wonderful about this sport in future.”

Italy honour memory of Heysel victims in Brussels

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They laid three sets of flowers at the plaque where the wall collapsed, crushing those fans in Sector Z before the European Cup Final kicked off.

These flowers were green, white and red, representing the flag of Italy.

“The presence of the Azzurri in the area where the Heysel tragedy occurred represents a sign of great respect and bearing witness to the events of that day,” said FIGC President Gravina.

“Memory defines us as individuals and as a movement. The pain of that tragedy cannot and must not be forgotten, for the victims, for their family members and for all of European football, to ensure it never happens again.”

Representatives of the Belgian Government and football federation also laid flowers.