Argentina loses FA boss

Julio Humberto Grondona, President of the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and Senior Vice-President of FIFA, passed away last Wednesday in Buenos Aires after being hospitalised with cardiac failure. He was 82. 

Grondona, who began his career as a football executive by founding Sarandi-based Arsenal in 1956, was named head of the AFA on April 6 1979, a position he held until his death, a lengthy tenure that demonstrated his importance within the game in Argentina. He also served as president of Independiente between 1976 and 1981.

A member of FIFA’s Executive Committee since 1988, his previous duties included chairing the governing body’s finance committee, in addition to his role of senior vice-president. “On behalf of FIFA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Julio’s family,” said President Blatter. — fifa.com