Fiat is to be the new sponsor of São Paulo based team Palmeiras, one of the most traditional and biggest football teams in Brazil, a new partnership that unites two organisations with Italian origins.

Fiat is to be the new sponsor of Palmeiras, one of the most traditional and biggest football teams in Brazil. The contract was signed last Thursday by Mr. Cledorvino Belini, and Mr. Affonso Della Monica, respectively the CEO of Fiat Automóveis and the President of Palmeiras Football Club, in an event that took place in the headquarters of the team located in the city of São Paulo. Participating as a special guest and as an illustrious fan, was the model and TV program hostess Adriane Galisteu, who presented to the press the team's new uniform emblazoned with the new sponsorship of Fiat.

The CEO of Fiat Mr. Belini, affirmed that the association of Fiat with Palmeiras takes into account the common Italian origin of both, the team was founded by Italian immigrants in 1914, with Palestra Italia's name. "Between 1884 and 1959, more than 1.5 million Italians immigrated to Brazil. Today, Brazil has around 30 million Italian descendants," said Mr. Belini. For him, the sponsorship of the club is a tribute to the whole Italian community in Brazil.

The Vice-President of Fiat in Brazil and president of CNH, Mr. Valentino Rizzioli, and the Director of Corporate Communication of Fiat, Mr. Marco Antonio Lage, were the other executives from Fiat present at the event. Mr. Della Monica greeted Fiat declaring that the carmaker is more than just a commercial sponsor, Fiat represents a new partnership. Mr. Marco Lage affirmed that Fiat and Palmeiras could also start to develop initiatives of social responsibility bringing together sport and education.

by Claudio Perlini