Fiorentina fans paid an emotional tribute to general manager Joe Barone and President Rocco Commisso confirmed part of the Viola Park will be named after him.
Barone was Commisso’s right-hand man at the New York Cosmos first, then with the Viola from the moment he purchased the club.
Following his death yesterday from a heart attack, Barone’s coffin was taken to the Viola Park training facilities where over 10,000 players, fans and the general public were able to pay their respects.
At the end of the ceremony, the ultras marched in with fireworks, flares and a huge banner that read: ‘You went as a Fiorentina man, we will always be grateful to you.’
They also chanted: ‘You will always be with us. And one of us.’
𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤, 𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐨 𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞🟣
“Da fiorentino te ne sei andato, e questo popolo te ne sarà sempre grato”
Emozioni forti e lacrime per Rocco Commisso, la famiglia Barone e i presenti. #barone #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/6WsZXEb4ba
— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) March 20, 2024
#Barone, l'omaggio della Curva Fiesole per il direttore generale della #Fiorentina. Cori, torce e fumogeni e poi la promessa "Sarà sempre con noi. È uno di noi". Pietro, il figlio più grande di #Barone, ha risposto: "Mio padre lavorava tutto il giorno e tutti i giorni per voi". pic.twitter.com/ezVU6JA2G0
— Sara Meini (@SaraMeini) March 20, 2024
Commisso also spoke to the supporters and confirmed “we made a big decision today. The villa that is here will be dedicated to Joe Barone. As soon as possible, I would also like to set up a tournament and dedicate it to Barone.”
🥺Commisso commosso con la Curva Fiesole: "Abbiamo deciso con la moglie Camilla di intitolare la villa del Viola Park a Joe Barone"💜 pic.twitter.com/4ZQRNNvhEc
— Flavio Ognissanti (@Flavio_Ognissan) March 20, 2024
Respect from Lazio