Rome, 9 December 2024 - Fabio Pecchia, Alessandro Lucarelli and Alessio Cracolici received the Andrea Fortunato Award today in Rome. At the Salone d'Onore of the CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee), as part of the 15th edition of the award, the three members of the Gialloblu team were awarded prizes. Best Coach to Pecchia (coach manager Nando Coppola was present to collect the prize), Career Achievement Award to Lucarelli and Best Team Manager to Cracolici. 

The Andrea Fortunato Prize, one of the most important national awards, is organised by the Fioravante Polito Foundation of Santa Maria di Castellabate (Salerno), who are behind the Andrea Fortunato Football Library and Museum. The main objective of the Polito Foundation is to make the Blood Passport compulsory, to commemorate four late footballers: Andrea Fortunato, Piermario Morosini, Flavio Falzetti and Carmelo Imbriani. The aim of the Blood Passport is to introduce blood and heart tests among players, precisely in order to avoid tragedies such as those experienced by the four footballers. The vital importance of prevention and the sporting world's commitment to it were discussed during a meeting moderated by journalist Antonio Vuolo, which preceded the Andrea Fortunato Award ceremony.

Here are the comments made at the award ceremony by Nando Coppola, Alessandro Lucarelli and Alessio Cracolici.

NANDO COPPOLA (Coach Manager)

‘I personally bring the apologies of Fabio Pecchia, who cannot be here today to collect this prestigious award. Previous personal commitments and training with the team prevented him from being here, but today I am happy to be able to represent him at an important ceremony like this. The coach wanted to send an important message. The cause this evening is a noble one and should be supported: prevention should be encouraged, medical checks - which are becoming more and more accurate - are necessary and are becoming more and more indispensable in the world of football. This must be done regardless of the category in which one plays, to preserve the integrity of this beautiful sport. I would like to thank the organisers from the Fioravante Polito Foundation, not only for the award to Fabio Pecchia, but above all for the great commitment they have made to carry out this task with tenacity every day.'

ALESSANDRO LUCARELLI (Head of Loans)

‘I am proud to receive this award named after a young man who left us prematurely, but who left all of us with a clear goal, shared with the club and fans, to bring Parma back to where it was before bankruptcy. It was a feat to have succeeded and I am proud to have been part of it, but the thing that pleases me most is that my human qualities have been appreciated.'

ALESSIO CRACOLICI (Team Manager)

‘I'm honoured to receive such an important award, which has featured outstanding players in Italian football. I thank my club, which gives me the tools to work with every day, and my colleagues who support me every day. Among these I would also like to mention my deputy, Riccardo Gatto, who has recently joined Inter's Primavera team.'