PRESTIGIOUS HONOURS ANY SPORTS PERSON OR TEAM CAN WIN IN ITALY.
Winner -Regarded as one of the best sportsmen in Italy.
Organisers - CONI - Comitato Olimpico Nazionale
Italiano (Italian National Olympic Committee).
Participates - All Italian and foreign athlets, officials,
coaches and teams that through their sports activities
have honoured Italian Sports.
Award Objective and Structure - Four different honours
are assigned by the CONI, three of which have three different grades. The honours are assigned on the proposal of the 'Commissione Benemerenze Sportive - Sports Merit Commission', established every four years by the CONI and made up of 16 members, in order to assign directly and review proposed nominations for the honours. However, the President of CONI can directly nominate for any award any person or team (including foreigners) who have promoted distinctively the olympic spirit. The highest honour is the 'Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo - Golden Collar for Sports Merit'. It can only be assigned once per person / team and thus in the case that someone merits more than one 'Collare', he will be assigned a 'Diploma d'Onore - Honourary Diploma'. The second honour is the 'Stella al Merito Sportivo - Star for Sports Merit' assigned in three different grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The third honour is the 'Palma al Merito Tecnico - Palm for Technical Merit' asigned also in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The last honour is the 'Medaglia al Valore Atletico - Medal for Athletic Value' which is again assigned in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
History - A large number of Italian sportsman and teams (and also few foreigners) were bestowed with these honours, some of which are football players, officials, coaches, referees and teams. All players, coaches and teams who won or obtained a good position in the major competitions or won an important award, are generally bestowed with this decoration. As yet we do not have the complete list of all those connected with Italian football who have received one of these honours, as such the list below is incomplete.
JUVENTUS
2004
COLLARE D'ORO AL MERITO SPORTIVO
(Golden Collar for Sports Merit)
THE DECORATION
Name - Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sports Merit).
Material - Blue Star with a golden roundel in the centre with the five olympic rings and the CONI logo. The Star is sourrounded by 20 golden rays and is inscribed 'CONI' on the back. The medal is hanged by a wide blue ribbon. A certificate is also awarded.
Diametre- circa 6 cm
Ribbon - 4 cm wide and 80 cm long.
Eligibility - I, All Italian athlets who have achieved the highest titles in the world of sports and the Olympics; II, Sports Officials (maximum 5 annually) who have already been assigned the 'Stella d'Oro al Merito Sportivo' and who have been active for more than 40 years in sports; III, Sports Teams (maximum 5 annually) who are still active and have been active for more than 100 years, who have already received the 'Stella d'Oro al Merito Sportivo' and whose athlets have won national and international titles;
Note - The 'Collare d'Oro' can only be assigned once per person or team and who ever receives this honour cannot be assigned any other honour equal or inferior to the 'Collare d'Oro'.
Non-Azzurro Italian Clubs
ORDINE AL MERITO DELLA REPUBLICA ITALIANA (OMRI)
(ORDER OF MERIT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC)
HIGHEST HONOUR AND MOST SENIOR KNIGHTHOOD ORDER OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC.
Receiver -Regarded as a great achiever for the Republic of Italy.
Organisers - The order is bestowed by decree of the President of
the Republic of Italy, as head of the orders of knighthood, on the recommendation of the President of the Council of Ministers
(Prime Minister).
Eligibile - All Italian and foreign nationals who have more than
35 years of age and have no criminal record. The first decorartion
cannot be higher than that of 'Cavaliere' in the first bestowment and three years must pass before a higher rank can be bestowed on the same person. Rare exceptions have been made to these rules, especially for foreign head-of-states
Decoration Objective and Structure - The 'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana' was instituted on the 3 March 1951 by the Italian Parliament, replacing as national orders the 'Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation' (founded in 1362), the 'Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus' (1572) and the 'Order of the Crown of Italy' (1868) as the highest ranking honour and most senior order of the Republic of Italy. It is awarded in five degrees for "merit acquired by the nation" in various fields including those of literature, arts, economy, public service, social, sports, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and also for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers: Cavaliere (Knight - 5th class), Ufficiale (Officer - 4th class), Commendatore (Commander - 3rd class), Grande Ufficiale (Grand Officer - 2nd class), Cavaliere di Gran Croce (Knight Grand Cross - 1st class) and Cavaliere di Gran Croce decorato di Gran Cordone (Knight Grand Cross with Grand Cordon - exceptional class). Investiture normally takes place on 2 June ('Festa della Republica', anniversary of the foundation of the Italian Republic) and on 27 December (anniversary of the promulgation of the Italian Constitution). The design of the decoration was changed on the 30 March 2001.
First Awarded - 1952
History - More than 227,000 Italians and foreigners were bestowed in this order, some of which are fooball players, officials, coaches and referees. All players and coaches who won or obtained a good position in the major competitions or won an important award, are generally bestowed with this decoration. As yet we do not have the complete list of all those connected with Italian football who have received this honour, as such the lists below are incomplete.
Franco
CARRARO
6 June 1980
CAVALIERE DI GRAN CROCE
(Knight Grand Cross)
Federico
SORDILLO
15 June 1982
Umberto
AGNELI
2 June 1972
Fulvio
BERNARDINI
2 June 1973
Enzo
BEARZOT
25 October 1982
Giampiero
BONIPERTI
30 September 1990
THE DECORATION
CAVALIERE DI GRAN CROCE
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - Composed of a white enamled cross with gold borders, having a golden sphere at the end of each arm of the cross. A golden star lays in the centre of the cross whilst four gold spread-winged eagles are inserted in each corner of the cross. The cross is sorrounded by a silver halo in the form of an eight pointed star embedded with diamonds.
Dimension - 85mm diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Name - Star (Plaque)
Used - 2001 - Today
Description - Composed of a white enamled pattee cross with round ends and gold border. It is rounded at the back by an olive and an oak golden branches. In the centre a gold circular badge holds the Italian Coat-of-arms rounded with a blue band having the inscription 'Al Merito della Repubblica' (For the merit of the Republic) in gold. The cross is sorrounded by a silver halo in the form of an eight pointed star embedded with diamonds.
Dimension - 85 mm diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - Composed of green silk material with a red 9mm width lateral strip on each side. At the bottom a butterfly knot holds the cross. The cross is similar to the one of the star but hanges from a crown in the form of a fort, having three jewels on the lower ring in the italian flag colours and is missing the silver stellar halo.
Dimension - The sash is 101 mm wide and the cross is 52 mm in diametre
Dressed - From the right shoulder to the left hip where the cross will hang.
Name - Sash
Used - 2001 - today
Description - Composed of green silk material with a red 9mm width lateral strip on each side. At the bottom a butterfly knot holds the cross. The cross is similar to the one of the star but is missing the silver stellar halo.
Dimension - The sash is 101 mm wide and the cross is 52 mm in diametre
Dressed - From the right shoulder to the left hip where the cross will hang.
THE DECORATION
GRANDE UFFICIALE
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - Cross similar to the Star of the Cavaliere di Gran Croce but 5mm smaller in diametre.
Dimension - 80 mm diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Name - Star (Plaque)
Used - 2001 - Today
Description - Cross similar to the Star of the Cavaliere di Gran Croce but 5 mm smaller in diametre and with a different sorrounding silver halo embedded with diamonds, having a diamond shaped form instead of an eight pointed star.
Dimension - 80 mm diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - Composed of a green silk band with a red lateral strip on each side. In the centre a gold clip holds the cross which is similar to the one of the sash of the Cavaliere di Gran Croce.
Dimension - The silk band is 50 mm wide and the cross is 52 mm in diametre
Dressed - Around the neck like a tie with the cross hanging on the upper chest.
Name - Neck Decoration
Used - 2001 - today
Description - Composed of a green silk band with a red lateral strip on each side. In the centre a gold clip holds the cross which is similar to the one of the sash of the Cavaliere di Gran Croce.
Dimension - The silk band is 50 mm wide and the cross is 52 mm in diametre
Dressed - Around the neck like a tie with the cross hanging on the upper chest.
THE DECORATION
COMMENDATORE
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - Exectly similar to the Neck Decoration of the Grande Ufficiale.
Dimension - The silk band is 50 mm wide and the cross is 52 mm in diametre
Dressed - Around the neck like a tie with the cross hanging on the upper chest.
Name - Neck Decoration
Used - 2001 - today
Description - Exectly similar to the Neck Decoration of the Grande Ufficiale.
Dimension - The silk band is 50 mm wide and the cross is 52 mm in diametre
Dressed - Around the neck like a tie with the cross hanging on the upper chest.
THE DECORATION
UFFICIALE
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - The Medal is exectly similar to the one of the Sash of the Cavaliere di Gran Croce. It hangs on a green silk ribbon with red lateral strips on each side. The ribbon has a green and red silk rosette on the lower part.
Dimension - The silk ribon is 37 mm wide and the cross is 40 mm in diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Name - Medal and Ribbon
Used - 2001 - today
Description - The Medal is exectly similar to the one of the Sash of the Cavaliere di Gran Croce but has a golden cross instead of a white enameled one. It hangs on a green silk ribbon with red lateral strips on each side.
Dimension - The silk ribon is 37 mm wide and the cross is 40 mm in diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
THE DECORATION
CAVALIERE
Used - 1951 - 2001
Description - The Medal and ribbon are exactly the same as those of the Ufficiale but without the green and red silk rosette on the ribbon.
Dimension - The silk ribon is 37 mm wide and the cross is 40 mm in diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Name - Medal and Ribbon
Used - 2001 - today
Description - The Medal and ribbon are exactly the same as those of the Ufficiale but with a silver cross instead of a gold one.
Dimension - The silk ribon is 37 mm wide and the cross is 40 mm in diametre
Dressed - On the left hand side of the chest.
Giovanni
PETRUCCI
27 September 2004
Bruno
ZAULI
2 June 1957
GRANDE UFFICIALE
(Grand Officer)
Ottorino
BARASSI
2 June 1957
Giuseppe
PASQUALE
27 December 1963
Artemio
FRANCHI
23 June 1970
Azeglio
VICINI
30 September 1990
Silvio
PIOLA
24 November 1993
Luciano
NIZZOLA
2 June 1997
Luigi
RIVA
12 July 2000
Dino
ZOFF
12 July 2000
Giovanni
PETRUCCI
27 December 2000
Raffaele
PAGNOZZI
27 September 2004
Alberto
MICHELOTTI
27 December 2005
Luca
PANCALLI
21 March 2006
Giacinto
FACCHETTI
27 December 1994
Pierluigi
COLLINA
7 January 2003
COMMENDATORE
(Commander)
Dino
ZOFF
25 October 1982
Giancarlo
DE SISTI
30 September 1991
Azeglio
VICINI
25 October 1982
Giancarlo
ABETE
12 December 2006
Alberto
MICHELOTTI
5 January 1980
Luigi
RIVA
30 September 1991
Pietro
VIERCHOWOD
30 September 1991
Ciro
FERRARA
12 July 2000
Paolo
MALDINI
12 July 2000
Francesco
ROCCA
12 July 2000
Gianfranco
ZOLA
27 December 2003
Marcello
LIPPI
12 December 2006
Demetrio
ALBERTINI
12 December 2006
Marco
AMELIA
12 December 2006
Simone
BARONE
12 December 2006
Andrea
BARZAGLI
12 December 2006
Gianluigi
BUFFON
12 December 2006
Mauro German
CAMORANESI
12 December 2006
Fabio
CANNAVARO
12 December 2006
Daniele
DE ROSSI
12 December 2006
Alessandro
DEL PIERO
12 December 2006
Gennaro Ivan
GATTUSO
12 December 2006
Alberto
GILARDINO
12 December 2006
Fabio
GROSSO
12 December 2006
Vincenzo
IAQUINTA
12 December 2006
Filippo
INZAGHI
12 December 2006
Marco
MATERAZZI
12 December 2006
Massimo
ODDO
12 December 2006
Alessandro
NESTA
12 December 2006
Simone
PERROTTA
12 December 2006
Andrea
PIRLO
12 December 2006
Luca
TONI
12 December 2006
Francesco
TOTTI
12 December 2006
Cristiano
ZACCARDO
12 December 2006
Gian Luca
ZAMBROTTA
12 December 2006
Carlo
LONGHI
27 December 2009
CAVALIERE
(Knight)
Carlo
ANCELOTTI
30 September 1991
Roberto
BAGGIO
30 September 1991
Nicola
BERTI
30 September 1991
Andrea
CARNEVALE
30 September 1991
Luigi
DE AGOSTINI
30 September 1991
Fernando
DE NAPOLI
30 September 1991
Roberto
DONADONI
30 September 1991
Ciro
FERRARA
30 September 1991
Riccardo
FERRI
30 September 1991
Giuseppe
GIANNINI
30 September 1991
Paolo
MALDINI
30 September 1991
Roberto
MANCINI
30 September 1991
Giancarlo
MAROCCHI
30 September 1991
Gianluca
PAGLIUCA
30 September 1991
Francesco
ROCCA
30 September 1991
Salvatore
SCHILLACI
30 September 1991
Aldo
SERENA
30 September 1991
Stefano
TACCONI
30 September 1991
Gianluca
VIALLI
30 September 1991
Walter
ZENGA
30 September 1991
Antonio
MATARRESE
27 December 1993
Christian
ABBIATI
12 July 2000
Demetrio
ALBERTINI
12 July 2000
Massimo
AMBROSINI
12 July 2000
Fabio
CANNAVARO
12 July 2000
Antonio
CONTE
12 July 2000
Alessandro
DEL PIERO
12 July 2000
Marco
DELVECCHIO
12 July 2000
Luigi
DI BIAGIO
12 July 2000
Angelo
DI LIVIO
12 July 2000
Stefano
FIORE
12 July 2000
Filippo
INZAGHI
12 July 2000
Mark
IULIANO
12 July 2000
Vincenzo
MONTELLA
12 July 2000
Paolo
NEGRO
12 July 2000
Alessandro
NESTA
12 July 2000
Gianluca
PESSOTTO
12 July 2000
Francesco
TOLDO
12 July 2000
Francesco
TOTTI
12 July 2000
Gian Luca
ZAMBROTTA
12 July 2000
Francesco
ANTONIOLI
12 July 2000
Carlo
LONGHI
10 March 2004
Marco
AMELIA
27 September 2004
Andrea
BARZAGLI
27 September 2004
Daniele
BONERA
27 September 2004
Cesare
BOVO
27 September 2004
Giorgio
CHIELLINI
27 September 2004
Daniele
DE ROSSI
27 September 2004
Matteo
FERRARI
27 September 2004
Alberto
GILARDINO
27 September 2004
Giandomenico
MESTO
27 September 2004
Angelo
PALOMBO
27 September 2004
Ivan
PELIZZOLI
27 September 2004
Giampiero
PINZI
27 September 2004
Andrea
PIRLO
27 September 2004
Cristian
ZACCARDO
27 September 2004
Federico
AGLIARDI
27 September 2004
Simone
DEL NERO
27 September 2004
Marco
DONADEL
27 September 2004
Andrea
GASBARRONI
27 September 2004
Name - Diploma d'Onore (Honourary Diploma).
Material - Golden wreath placed on a Silver base with angled edges and an engraved inscription in the centre, including the CONI logo. A certificate is also awarded.
Size- 22 cm squared
Eligibility - All persons and teams who have already been awarded the 'Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo' and who deserve to be awarded again with this highest honour.
Angelo
PERUZZI
12 December 2006
Emiliano
MORETTI
27 September 2004
Marco
AMELIA
2006
Simone
BARONE
2006
Andrea
BARZAGLI
2006
Gianluigi
BUFFON
2006
Mauro German
CAMORANESI
2006
Fabio
CANNAVARO
2006
Daniele
DE ROSSI
2006
Alessandro
DEL PIERO
2006
Gennaro Ivan
GATTUSO
2006
Alberto
GILARDINO
2006
Fabio
GROSSO
2006
Vincenzo
IAQUINTA
2006
Filippo
INZAGHI
2006
Marco
MATERAZZI
2006
Massimo
ODDO
2006
Alessandro
NESTA
2006
Simone
PERROTTA
2006
Andrea
PIRLO
2006
Luca
TONI
2006
Francesco
TOTTI
2006
Cristiano
ZACCARDO
2006
Gian Luca
ZAMBROTTA
2006
Angelo
PERUZZI
2006
MILAN
2007
INTER
2008
THE DECORATION
Name - Stella d'Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Star for Sports Merit).
Established - 20 December 1933.
Material - White 5-pointed Star with gold border and a dark blue roundel in the centre with the five olympic rings and the CONI logo in gold. The Star is sourrounded by a round golden wreath. The medal is hanged by a light blue ribbon with four vertical bands on each side in the olympic colours (Red, Green, Black and Yellow). A golden clip on the ribben has the inscription 'Al Merito Sportivo (For Sports Merit)' embossed on the front. It can be assigned in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze. A certificate is also awarded.
Height of Star - circa 6 cm
Eligibility - I, All sports entities still in existance who have uninteruptedly promoted the sports ideals and contributed towards the betterness of sports in Italy for at least 50 years (Gold), 30 years (Silver) or 20 years (Bronze); II, Sports Officials who have served uninteruptedly positively in their sports for 30 years (Gold), 20 years (Silver) and 12 years (Bronze); III, Foreign sports personalities who have contributed towards Italian sports in general; The Gold Star can also be awarded to the Presidents of National Associations and the various CONI Regional and Provincial committees, CONI delegates for the Italian Communities in foreign lands and the members of the CONI National Counsel, all of which must have served for at least 12 consecutive years in their office or a total of at least 16 non consecutive years. The Silver Star can be awarded to the Presidents of National Associations, Sports Entities and the various CONI Regional and Provincial committees and to CONI delegates for the Italian Communities in foreign lands, all of which must have served for at least 8 consecutive years in their office. The Bronze Star can be awarded to the Presidents of the various CONI Provincial committees and CONI delegates for the Italian Communities in foreign lands.
Note - The 'Stella D'Oro' can only be assigned once per person or team for each grade. Except for rare special occasions, the 'Stella d'Oro' is awarded succesively according to the grade when awarded to the same person or team: first Bronze than Silver and finally gold with a period of at least 3 years between bronze and Silver and 6 years between silver and gold.
Annual Quantities - The Gold 'Stella D'Oro' is awarded to a maximum of 100 Sports Officials and 20 teams annualy, the Silver is awarded to a maximum of 200 Sports Officials and 50 teams annualy and the Bronze is awarded to a maximum of 400 Sports Officials and 100 teams annualy.
Exceptional Cases - In 1958, on the initiative of Juventus President Umberto Agnelli, CONI awarded a special 'Stella d'Oro' to Juventus who had just won their tenth Scudetto (Italian football championships) with the right to wear a star symbol on the team's shirt. This idea continued in Italy and was eventually taken over by other foreign National Associations (Turkey in 2000, Germany in 2004, USA & Sweden in 2006, Netherlands & Romania 2007) and National Teams where a star is worn for each World Cup victory (Brazil after 1970, Italy after 1982, Germany after 1990). This system was officially regularised by FIFA in 1998 and by UEFA in 2000. UEFA declared that any National Team who did not won a World Cup but won a European Nations Championship can wear a star to this effect during the final stages of the European Nations Championships (Denmark after 1998, Greece after 2004) and introduced the 'Multiple-Winner Badge' to be worn by the clubs who have won the UEFA Champions (Cup) League more than five times or won it for three consecutive years ( Real Madrid - Spain, Milan - Italy, Liverpool - England, Ajax Amsterdam - Netherlands, Bayern Munich - Germany).
STELLA D'ORO AL MERITO SPORTIVO
(Golden Star for Sports Merit)
JUVENTUS
1967, 1982
& 2014
The right to wear three stars on their shirt
MILAN
1979
The right to wear one star on their shirt
INTER
1967
The right to wear one star on their shirt
Luigi RIVA
2006
BRESCIA
CESENA
2011
TORINO
1969
CESENA
1983
CATANZARO
1978
FANFULLA
1974
FIORENTINA
1976
GENOA
2002
GENOA
1967
LAZIO
1967
NOVARA
1975
TORRES
1967
TRIESTINA
1979
TRITIUM
2008
UDINESE
1950
STELLA D'ARGENTO AL MERITO SPORTIVO
(Silver Star for Sports Merit)
Non-Azzurro Italian Clubs
ENOTRIA
1974
THE DECORATION
PALMA AL MERITO TECNICO
(Palm for Technical Merit)
Marcello
LIPPI
2006
THE DECORATION
Name - Medaglia al Valore Atletico (Medal for Athletic Value).
Established - 20 December 1933.
Material - Golden roundel with a profile of a greek athlete in relief and the inscription 'Al Valore Atletico - For Athletic Value'. On the back there is a wreath of oak leafs in relief. The medal is hanged by a light blue ribbon with a golden clip on the ribben having the five olympic rings and the CONI Logo in relief. It can be assigned in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze. A certificate is also awarded.
Diametre - circa 6 cm
Eligibility - The Gold Medal can be assigned to all Italian athletes who: I, have obtained a World Record or won a World title in their respective officially approved sports discipline; II, have placed Second in an official game of the Olympics and Paraolympics; III, Achieved exceptional results of World Standard. The Silver Medal can be assigned to all Italian athletes who: I, have placed Second or Third in a World title in their respective officially approved sports discipline; II, have placed Third in an official game of the Olympics and Paraolympics; III, have obtained a European Record or won a European title in their respective officially approved sports discipline. The Bronze Medal can be assigned to all Italian athletes who: I, have placed Fourth, Fifth or Sixth in a World title in their respective officially approved sports discipline; II, have competed in a Final and placed Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh or Eight in an official game of the Olympics and Paraolympics; III, have placed Second or Third in a European title in their respective officially approved sports discipline; IV, have obtained an Italian Record or won a Italian title in their respective officially approved sports discipline after antidoping control; V, have represnted Italy more than 10 times for individual disciplines or more than 20 times in team disciplines of officially approved sports disciplines.
Note - Since 2005, the 'Medaglia al Valore Atletico' can only be assigned once per person for each grade. In the case where an athlete merits more than one medal in the course of a year, he will be awarded the highest grade achieved and will be presented with a special certificate listing all his annual achievments.
Name - Palma al Merito Tecnico (Palm for Technical Merit).
Material - Gold roundel with a white centre having two lateral palms with the five olympic rings and the CONI logo in relief in the centre. All is sourrounded by a greek meander motif border. The medal is hanged by a light blue ribbon with four vertical bands on each side in the olympic colours (Red, Green, Black and Yellow). A golden clip on the ribben has the inscription 'Al Merito Tecnico (For Technical Merit)' embossed on the front. It can be assigned in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze. A certificate is also awarded.
Diametre - circa 6 cm
Eligibility - I, All sports technical staff who have distinguished themselves through the high level of national and international results obtained by their athletes and teams; II, All sports technical staff who have developed and maintained sports activities for the youth catagories; III, All winners must have been uninteruptedly active in their
sports technical activity for at least 30 years (Gold), 20 years (Silver) or 12 years (Bronze).
Note - The 'Palma' medal cannot be awarded to someone who has already been awarded the 'Stella d'Oro al Merito Sportivo' in any grade and can only be assigned once per person for each grade. Except for rare special occasions, the 'Palma al Merito Tecnico' is awarded succesively according to the grade when awarded to the same person: first Bronze than Silver and finally gold with a period of at least 3 years between bronze and Silver and 6 years between silver and gold.
Annual Quantities - The Gold 'Palma' medal is awarded to a maximum of 20 Sports Officials annualy, the Silver is awarded to a maximum of 50 Sports Officials annualy and the Bronze is awarded to a maximum of 100 Sports Officials annualy.
The eleventh part of all Individual International and National Honours
won by Azzurri players and officials throughout the years
Since the Italian National Team is among the very few National Teams who almost won all the major competitions and trophies that football can offer, both World and European, it is logically that the azzurri players and officials who achieved this success are bestowed with the major individual awards and honours. The eleventh page of Individual Honours alos concentrates on the Italian domestic awards, mainly the prestigious national civil and sports decorations presented by the President of the Italian Republic and CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) - Ordine al Merito della Republic Italiana: Cavaliere di Gran Croce, Grande Ufficiale, Commendatore, Ufficiale, Cavaliere; and Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo, Stella d'Oro al Merito Sportivo, Stella d'Argento al Merito Sportivo, Palma al Merito Tecnico, Medaglia d'Oro al Valore Atletico and Medaglia di Bronzo al Valore Atletico.
