Former Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has paid tribute to Joe Barone.

Ferrero attended the Fiorentina director's funeral at Viola Park yesterday.

He told the waiting press: "Football has lost a respectable person, who gave his life for this sport. When he arrived in Florence people were talking about him and I immediately met him in the League.

"He put his life into Fiorentina, twenty-four hours a day.

"He and (Daniele) Pradè have tried in every way to bring Fiorentina to the places they deserve. Football has lost a great professional and a great person. I'm sorry to be here talking about a person like him who passed away at the age of 58.

"The world is full of scoundrels, but Jesus always gathers people like him first."