José Lemme, the historic president of Defense and Justice, died

Argentine football is in mourning: this morning he died José Lemmethe leader who dreamed that his Defense and Justice ever reached Primera and, not only did he achieve it, but it even led him to win an international title.

Lemme headed Defense and Justice for 28 years, from 1993 until 2021, when he left the presidency for his son Diego to take over. During this time, the club navigated the waters of promotion until the 2013/2014 season when it achieved the long-awaited jump to First Division with the help of Diego Cocca. Since then, it has not stopped growing: it reached a runner-up in the 2019 Super League and reached the top by staying with the South American Cup 2020.

This Thursday morning, Florencio Varela’s own club was in charge of telling the news: “With deep regret today we have to say goodbye to José Lemme, who was president of our institution for 28 years. With work and honesty, José knew how to instill the love and respect for the club, in addition to being an architect of its growth both in football and institutionally. Your legacy will live forever,” says a tweet on the official Halcón account.

Beyond the titles won (after the 2020 Sudamericana he won the 2021 Recopa Sudamericana), without a doubt Lemme’s greatest achievement was transforming Defensa y Justicia into a model for the rest of the clubs to follow.

The leap in quality was achieved since the construction of the training center for youth and Primera that the Varela club owns. In addition, he renovated the Norberto Tito Tomaghello stadium and the Bosques property.

“As a good “Tano”, knowing the importance of bricks and one’s own home, during his term an unwritten law prevailed without exception: money that entered the club, money that was invested in works that would remain forever,” they say on the club page.

In 2021, after achieving the achievements he sought, José Lemme left the presidency of Defense and Justice, which fell into the hands of his son Diego.

“Dear José: your colleagues on the Board of Directors, as well as all the fans of Defensa y Justicia, today we say goodbye to you and thank you infinitely for everything you did for the institution. With work and honesty, José knew how to instill love and respect for the club , in addition to being an architect of its growth both in football and institutionally. Your legacy will live forever,” were the words dedicated to him from Defensa y Justicia.

The remains of former president José Lemme will be laid to rest at the property that bears his name from 2023.