MILAN – "An innovator. A coach with whom
Inter - when they were called Ambrosiana - won the first ever unified Italian
championship. He was a winner with us but also with Bologna. That's
what Arpad Weisz was. That and a whole lot more because of the tragic fate that awaited his family. He is part of Inter's history
and we hold a particularly fond memory of him." That is how Nerazzurri
president Massimo Moratti, before the Coppa Italia match between
Inter and Bologna, described Arpad Weisz, who died along with
his family in Auschwitz.
"When I started to support Inter in the 1950s I remember being pleasantly surprised by the story of this man, a paragon of professionalism and commitment. We feel very close to him," Moratti continued. Weisz is not only a historical figure - his name remains very much alive in the present-day fight against racism. Which recently came to light again following AC Milan's friendly with Pro Patria in Busto Arsizio "Unfortunately racism isn't a thing of the past," the president went on. "Boateng did the right thing to walk off the pitch. What happened in Busto was an example of fans at their worst. Their absolute worst, even though it was only a small group. We must offer our full support to help defeat this sort of negative mentality. Football, being the social phenomenon that it is, can help fight racism."
One way of offering that support was the symbolic gesture of gathering together in Weisz's memory at the Stadio Meazza before Inter v Bologna, in front of the plaque dedicated to the Hungarian which was placed on 27 January 2012. Attending the remembrance ceremony were Inter president Massimo Moratti, Bologna president Albano Guaraldi, the mayor of Milan Giuliano Pisapia, the mayor of Bologna Virginio Merola, Milan councillor for sport Chiara Bisconti, the consul general of Hungary Istvan Manno, representatives of the Jewish community in Milan and supporters of the 'W il calcio' initiative, who organised the event.From the top brass of the two clubs down to the players, all united in the name of Weisz. Before kick-off, the two sides lined up to shake hands wearing T-shirts with a picture of Weisz and 'No to Racism' written on the front. To never forget and for a brighter future: Weisz revolutionised football with his ideas, today his memory can help do it again.
