Roma Head Franco Sensi Is Dead

AS Roma chairman Franco Sensi this evening passed away at the age of 82. Sky television informed Italy that the Roma president died of a serious illness on Sunday night, much to the regret of Romanistas everywhere...

Aug 18, 2008 12:18:21 AM

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Franco Sensi - Chairman of Roma

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The Roma president was found dead late Sunday evening in the Italian capital. Franco Sensi became the leader of Roma in 1993, and during his presidency the club won the Scudetto in 2001.

Sensi was a pure Roman, born there on July 19, 1926 and lived in the city his entire life. He acquired most of his wealth as an entrepreneur in the oil, tourism and publishing sectors.

Franco Sensi became President of Roma in May of 1993, and the sole owner of the club in November of that year. During his presidency the club won a Scudetto in 2001 under coach Fabio Capello. The club also won two Italian Super Cups (2001 and 2007), and two Coppa Italia trophies (2007 and 2008) during Sensi's reign.

Since 2004, due to his illness, Franco Sensi rarely took control of the day-to-day operations of the club. Instead his daughter, Rosella Sensi, became the effective president of the Giallorossi and Franco Sensi took the role of Honorary Chairman.

In May 2008 he was presented with an "Ethics in Sport" award, due to his work with the Giallorossi and his outstanding sporting values.

He died in the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome. Roma and football fans worldwide will certainly be mourning the loss of one of calcio's most renowned and respected figures.

Adam Scime