Former Valencia president Orti dies aged 70 from cancer

BARCELONA: Former Valencia president Jaume Orti, who presided over the club’s last two La Liga title wins in 2002 and 2004, has died aged 70 from lung cancer, the club said.

“Valencia expresses its disbelief and its dearest condolences after the death of former club president Jaume Orti this Friday,” said a statement on the club’s official website.

“The club has been in permanent contact with his family and wishes to express its sympathy to all those connected with the man who was president of Valencia between July 2001 and October 2004, coinciding with the club’s most successful period in its recent history. Rest in peace.”

Orti gained fame for his flamboyant celebrations of the club’s triumphs, which came with current Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez as coach.

Orti paraded around the pitch with a giant fan after the 2002 La Liga triumph and donned an orange wig after the 2004 La Liga win at Sevilla’s Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, also joining the players in the shower while wearing a suit.

Before Orti’s death, the club had planned to place orange wigs on the seats at the stadium for the top-of-the-table clash with Barcelona today to show their support for his battle against cancer.

“From here in Newcastle I would like to express my sympathy to Jaume’s wife and family and friends and all Valencia supporters,” Benitez said in a video released on his website.

“The moments we spent together when we won those trophies which everyone remembers so well are unforgettable for me and will always stay in my memory. Rest in peace.” — Reuters