Fifa drop clanger as they wish ‘Fernando’ Totti happy 40th birthday on French Twitter page


FIFA dropped a clanger when they wished ‘Fernando’ Totti a happy 40th birthday.

The popular Roma icon reached the milestone while still producing the goods on the pitch for his boyhood club.

epa05558884 AS Roma captain Francesco Totti with his wife Ilary Blasi, arrive to the party on the ocassion of his 40th birthday at Tor Crescenza in Rome, Italy, 27 September 2016. EPA/ANGELO CARCONI
Francesco Totti arrives ahead his star-studded 40th birthday bash
EPA

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Lionel Messi, Rafa Nadal and Usain Bolt were among a host of global sports stars who gathered to wish the Italian a happy birthday.

However, when football’s governing body attempted their well-wishes, they made one huge error — they got his name wrong.

Francesco Totti turned 40, but Fifa’s French Twitter account posted: “Happy birthday Fernando Totti!!! The Roman turns 40 today.”

22 Dec 2000: Francesco Totti of Roma tries a shot on goal during the Serie A 12th Round League match between Roma and Juventus played at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK/ALLSPORT
Francesco Totti has spent his entire 25-year football career with boyhood club, Roma
Allsport UK/ALLSPORT
3 Oct 1999: Daniele Adani of Fiorentina impedes Francesco Totti of Roma during the Serie A match at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy. Roma won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Claudio Villa /Allsport
Francesco Totti during a bruising encounter against rivals, Fiorentina, in 1999
Claudio Villa /Allsport

They quickly deleted the tweet, however, as fans jumped on the mistake.

Fifa showed they do have a funny side, as they followed it up with this correction: “To err is human…if ‘Fernando Totti’ exists, we send him our regards. We apologise and above all happy birthday to Francesco Totti!”.

Meanwhile, the owner of the world-famous Enoteca Pinchiorri restaurant in Florence was forced to apologise to Fiorentina fans for wishing the famous No.10 a happy birthday.

The Tuscan giants have a passionate fan base, which enjoys a historic rivalry with Roma — and the gesture was not well received by fans of La Viola.

Roma's forward Francesco Totti speaks with fans after being defeated 0-3 during the Europa League Round of 16 second leg football match Roma vs Fiorentina on March 19, 2015 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
Francesco Totti speaks to angry Roma fans after a 3-0 home defeat to Fiorentina
Getty Images
Happy birthday message to Francesco Totti at famous Enoteca Pinchiorri restaurant
Happy birthday message to Francesco Totti at famous Enoteca Pinchiorri restaurant
Twitter

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Their message read: “Happy birthday to Francesco Totti. A football genius. Florence loves you.”

Clearly not quite as much as they thought.

Owner, Giorgio Pinchiorri, has since apologised, saying: “I made a mistake and I apologise.

“They ‘Florence loves you’ came back to bit me, I didn’t even think about it.”


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