Livorno names the stadium square after Igor Protti on his birthday

On his birthday - today he would have turned 59 - the square in front of the main entrance of the Armando Picchi stadium in Livorno was named after Igor Protti. From this evening this portion of the old Piazzale Montello will bear his name, waiting for the life-size bronze of the great Livorno striker who died prematurely due to an illness on 19 June to be created and positioned here in front of the entrance to the grandstand. Many fans, but also many ordinary people, did not miss the appointment at 6pm for the naming ceremony. Thunderous applause accompanied the unveiling of the new toponymic plaque that dedicates the square to Protti's memory, surrounding the footballer's family members with affection, accompanied by the mayor of Livorno, Luca Salvetti, and the mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese. "Being here - said Salvetti - to remember Igor who is no longer here physically gives mixed sensations, on the one hand it can't be a nice thought, but on the other hand there is the fact that this person continues to move people and make their hearts beat. I think I have never done a dedication with so many people. And even today, incredibly, he continues to do so: Igor is here today". Then the group of authorities with the mayor at the head moved inside the stadium, under the Curva Nord, the heart of the Livorno fans, where amidst the chants and applause of the amaranth ultras the commemorative plaque was inaugurated: "In this stadium - we read on the plaque - thousands of fans were able to admire the sporting exploits and human value of Igor Protti, the greatest player in the history of Livorno Calcio". A QR code has been inserted on the plaque which, once framed, allows you to relive Protti's amaranth emotions, taken from the film by the Livorno director Luca Dal Canto. At the end of the day, at 8.30pm, Protti's teammates will take to the field, the Old Glories of Livorno (the Lucarelli brothers, Chiellini, Galante, Amelia, Ruotolo, Diamanti and many others) and the Asd Bari 93, a non-profit organization that brings together former red and white footballers, teammates of Igor Protti (Mister Materazzi, Tovalieri, Alessio, Fontana, Amoruso, Ventola, Bigica, Barone and many others) in a match for charity.