Sergio Cragnotti

One of the most high-profle and wealthy business figures in Italy in recent times, Cragnotti is best known for having been President of S.S.Lazio. However his most influential position was as head of food conglomerate Cirio. This company included all Cirio food brands as well as those of the acquired Del Monte Foods International from the late 1990s. The corporation disintergrated after it defaulted on a 150 million eurobond and was subsequently placed into administration. The Cragnotti family owned 80% of the Cirio group which in turn owned a 51% stake in the Roman club, all of which was seized by the banks and subsequently sold off.

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Cragnotti presided over perhaps the most successful period in Lazio's recent history, ploughing in record amounts of money which attracted such luminaries as Pavel Nedved, Christian Vieri and Marcelo Salas. His successes included winning both Serie A along with the final European Cup-Winners' Cup, both under the guidance of current England manager and close friend, Sven Goran-Eriksson.

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Cragnotti was recently released from house arrest having been under detention in the aftermath of the Cirio collapse and scandal.

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