Yesterday the state funeral of Silvio Berlusconi took place in the Duomo in the city centre, giving the chance for one final send-off.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, the state funeral began at around 15:00 CEST and ended at 16:10. His coffin came out of the Duomo to a long applause started by the 2,000 present inside the Cathedral and continued by the around 15,000 people who filled the Piazza.
Among the most noticeable in the crowd were the hundreds of Milan ultras present with their banners. Chants of ‘C’è solo un Presidente’ (There is only one president) rang out as the coffin went away.
In that same square just over a year ago Milan celebrated their 19th league title and Berlusconi was there on a rooftop, showing his love to the fans below, and yesterday it was time to return the favour.
There were many political guests there too such as President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid, the Emir of Qatar Al Thani, the regents of the Republic of San Marino Alessandro Scarano and Adele Tonnini plus the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
On the right side were his loved ones including his partner Marta Fascina, his children Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora, Luigi and his brother Paolo. Politicians, artists, players, directors, managers and friends were president.
However, some ex-Rossoneri players were missing such as Paolo Maldini, Carlo Ancelotti, Clarence Seedorf, Andriy Shevchenko and the Dutch trio Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.