Former Inter Milan president Ernesto Pellegrini dies aged 84 just hours before the Champions League final - with players to wear black armbands
Former Inter Milan president Ernesto Pellegrini has died at the age of 84 just hours before tonight's Champions League final in Munich.
Pellegrini owned the club between 1984 and 1995 and presided over a trophy-laden era, winning a record-breaking Serie A title and two UEFA Cups.
A Milan native and successful businessman, Pellegrini bought the Italian giants from Ivanoe Fraizzoli and was influential in the arrivals of several superstars, including Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Inter also won the Supercoppa Italiana under his stewardship, while the club's 1991 UEFA Cup triumph brought to an end a 26-year wait for a European trophy.
Pellegrini went on to sell the club to Massimo Moratti in 1995.
He was inducted into the club's esteemed Hall of Fame in 2020.
According to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pellegrini passed away at 8am on Saturday morning, shortly before the Champions League final.
Inter will take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena and the Italian side's players will wear black armbands to pay tribute to their late president.
Confirming Pellegrini's passing, Inter said: 'President Ernesto Pellegrini has left us.
'For eleven years he led Inter with wisdom, honour and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the history of our Club.
'FC Internazionale Milano and all the Nerazzurri fans gather around his family.'
Pellegrini leaves behind his wife Ivana and daughter Valentina.
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