On Christmas night Franco Frattini, President of Italy’s Council of State and, until 29 January this year, President of the Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport at CONI, a role he had held since the conception of this new body in 2014 with the reform of Sport Justice, left us prematurely, at just 65 years of age. Frattini was also an influential member of CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Although he held numerous political posts in his lengthy career (including Italian Foreign Minister and European Commissioner), Frattini’s name was also linked to the world of sport. He was awarded the International Olympic Committee’s Collare d’Oro following his positive experience as President of the Works Agency for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. His bond with the world of winter sports had always been a strong one: indeed, he was President of the National Commission of Ski Schools and Instructors (COSCUMA), part of the Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali (FISI), and indeed only a few months ago President Flavio Roda awarded him the title of honorary instructor.
 
CONI President Giovanni Malagò paid tribute to him as follows: “I’ve lost a true friend. Franco Frattini was a point of reference for me in these years as CONI president. His advice and suggestions were always invaluable for my activity. Italian sport laments the passing of a man from the institutions who always defended the autonomy of sport, carrying out his role with competence and loyalty. I offer my sincerest condolences to the family on behalf of myself and the entire Italian sports world”.

The President of the Collegio di Garanzia, Gabriella Palmieri Sandulli, who took over from Frattini at the head of Italian sport’s highest organ of justice in January 2022, also wished to pay tribute to her illustrious predecessor. "President Frattini was an exceptional servant of the state with an extremely high sense of duty towards the institutions combined with equally exceptional human qualities. His passion for sport in its noblest sense was also demonstrated by his great tenacity, enthusiasm and untiring commitment, which gave prestige and institutional lustre to the Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport. I am truly honoured to hold the office of President after such an impressive predecessor. His example will always guide me and is the model that inspires me. I offer my own personal condolences and in the name of all the Members of the Collegio di Garanzia to his family, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy in our great sorrow for such a grave loss".