Serie A

JOSE MOURINHO has been spotted strolling around Rome eight days on from his sacking.Roma dispensed of the Portuguese’s services last week as they sat ninth in the Serie A table.
Jose Mourinho wore a cap and scarf as he headed outCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho, 60, was joined by a small entourageCredit: The Mega Agency
The group walked through the streets of RomeCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho remains in the Eternal City a week on from his Roma sackingCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho was spotted visiting the Castel Sant’AngeloCredit: The Mega Agency
Mourinho has a family base in Belgravia, Chelsea from his days managing the Blues.
But as of this morning he remained in Italy despite having said a tearful goodbye to Roma last week.
The 60-year-old wore blue jeans, a white fleece, navy scarf and cap as he went for a walk through the city.
He was joined by a small entourage as he made his way around.
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Mourinho was spotted by Rome’s spectacular Castel Sant’Angelo.
The sprawling rotunda dates back nearly 2,000 years to Hadrian’s days as Roman Emperor.
Hadrian’s ashes remain in the building, which is now a museum having previously been used as a fortress.
Mourinho appears to be willing to enjoy some downtime before accepting his next challenge.
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The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss has already snubbed an offer to return to work.
According to ESPN, Mourinho has rejected an approach from Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab.
The self-proclaimed Special One has previously admitted his desire to work in Saudi Arabia.
But he doesn’t yet appear to believe that the time is right, preferring to stay in Europe.
Al-Shabab sit 11th in the Saudi Pro League and are ironically set to play Roma in a friendly this afternoon.
Their squad includes Yannick Carrasco, Habib Diallo and Romain Saiss.
Mourinho has already received interest from clubs on the continent, but has indicated that he will not rush back into work, preferring to wait for the right opportunity.
Former Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf reckons that Mourinho fancies a crack at international football.
He told ESPN: “I remember interviewing Mr Mourinho when he was at Madrid or Chelsea when he came over to Los Angeles.
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“He admitted that the last thing he would love to do in his coaching career would be to get the Portuguese national team job. I think that’s going to be his goal.
“It’s tricky right now with Roberto (Martinez) but I really think he can be patient and see how it goes during the Euros and then maybe jump into the seat if he has the chance to.”
Mourinho was axed by Roma after a chaotic two-and-a-half years in chargeCredit: AP More

GENNARO GATTUSO was once dared to eat a slug for €5,000 by his AC Milan team-mates.The Italian hardman shocked his fellow players by eating it instantly.
Gennaro Gattuso (right) was once dare to eat a slug for €5,000Credit: Getty
Gattuso had been dared by ex-Milan defender Kakha Kaladze after the slugs were spotted on the floor at their training ground.
Fellow defender Gianluca Zambrotta previously recalled the incident, explaining: “One day, we were at training and there were slugs on the floor.
“Kakha Kaladze said to Gattuso: ‘I will give you €5,000 if you eat a live slug’. He picked one up, ate it and gave the money to charity.”
The AC Milan legend giving the money to good causes made the dare all the more epic.
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Andrea Pirlo also claimed in 2022 that the dare was part of a €10,000 bet amongst the players.
Speaking on Juventus’ All or Nothing series, he explained: “Once we made a bet… you know the snails, the ones without their shells, so big?
“We said, ‘Come on Rino, if you eat it we will give you 10 thousand euros, we collect them and then you give them to the intern workers.’
“He took the slug, he sent it down, we didn’t give a s***. He wanted to kill us all.”
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Gattuso ate the slug despite the health risks associated with doing so.
Promising Australian rugby player Sam Ballard passed away in 2018 after being left paralysed by an infected slug he swallowed for a dare.
46-year-old Gattuso spent 13 years with Milan as a player, scoring 11 goals from midfield across 468 appearances.
He won 10 major trophies during that time, including both Serie A and the Champions League on two occasions.
The former midfielder was also a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006.
Having returned to Milan as manager between 2017 and 2019, Gattuso is now in charge of French giants Marseille.
Gattuso instantly ate the slug and donated the money to charityCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

LEGENDARY Italian footballer Gigi Riva has passed away at the age of 79.The striker, who is Italy’s all-time record scorer with 35 goals in 42 appearances, died in hospital after falling ill at his home in Sardinia.
Gigi Riva has passed away at the age of 79Credit: Getty
He spent his entire career with CagliariCredit: Getty
He was a key player in helping the Azzurri win Euro 1968, bagging the opener in the final against Yugoslavia.
He also helped Cagliari win the only Serie A title in their history in 1970.
Riva spent all but the first season of his career with Cagliari, scoring 207 goals in 374 appearances across a 13-year stint.
This makes him Cagliari’s top scorer by more than 100 goals.
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In 2005, the club retired the No11 jersey in honour of Riva’s achievements.
After hanging up his boots, Riva went on to become a coach for the Italian national team in 1988.
And he remained a part of the backroom staff until 2013.
He was a member of the technical staff during Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph.
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And after the tournament, captain Fabio Cannavaro praised Riva for his contribution towards the country’s fourth World Cup win.
Paying tribute to Riva following his death, legendary Italian keeper Dino Zoff said: “I’m losing a great friend, we’ve had a long life together.
“From the military to many memories in the national team. Infinite sadness, I’m deeply saddened, I can’t speak.”
Inter Milan also reacted to Riva’s passing, adding: “FC Internazionale Milano expresses its condolences for the passing of Gigi Riva and rallies around the family and the entire world of football in this moment of mourning.”
Hours before Riva’s death was confirmed, Cagliari posted: “We are with you, go Gigi ❤️💙.”
He goes down as an Italian legendCredit: Getty
He scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for his countryCredit: Getty
Riva was a part of the national team set-up until 2013Credit: AFP More

AC MILAN’S Serie A clash against Udinese was suspended after reports of vile racist chanting towards Mike Maignan.The alleged chants came from Udinese fans, prompting AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to report the abuse to the referee.
Mike Maignan reported the alleged racist chanting to the refereeCredit: Reuters
Maignan walked off the pitch with his team-matesCredit: Getty
Maignan was consoled by team-mates in the tunnel
After ten minutes Maignan returned to the pitch to resume playCredit: Reuters
Maignan then walked off the pitch with his team-mates with ref Fabio Maresca suspending the game.
The 28-year-old could be seen being consoled by team-mates in the tunnel while the match was stopped.
Play resumed after ten minutes as Maigan re-emerged.
An AC Milan statement following the chants said: “There is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled.
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“We are with you, Mike.”
A statement from Serie A added: “SERIE A CONDEMNS ANY FORM OF RACISM.”
The French international has been a goalkeeper for Milan since 2021.
He has played 92 times for the Rossoneri, winning the Serie A title in 2022.
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Mike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates walked off the pitch briefly following abuse directed at the goalkeeper from the stands.We all are with you, Mike! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ER2PnXs7pt— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 20, 2024

Maignan has also been named in the Serie A Team of the Season in each of his two full seasons in Italy.
Italian football has been plagued by disgusting racist chanting issues in recent years.
In November, Serie A slapped Fiorentina with a suspended one-match stand closure for racist chanting directed towards three Juventus players
Ex-Barcelona star Samuel Umtiti walked off the pitch in tears after being subjected to racist chanting from Lazio fans while at Lecce last season.
On-loan Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku was also subjected to disgraceful racist abuse during Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia draw with Juventus last April.
Juventus were ordered to partially close their stadium as a consequence of the chants.
Another match involving Juventus saw their league game against Atalanta in May stopped due to racist chanting aimed at Dusan Vlahovic.
Maignan’s side were leading 1-0 at the time of the sickening incident, through Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s goal.
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However, immediately after the game resumed, they were pegged back and Udinese took the lead in the second half through Florian Thauvin.
But Luka Jovic levelled late on before Milan got a dramatic winner in injury time as Noah Okafor made it 3-2. More

FANS have been left stunned after seeing how many fans attended the Italian Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia. Napoli put aside their recent troubles in Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina in Riyadh.
Fans are in shock to see the attendance at the Italian Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia
Napoli secured a ticket into the final with a 3-0 win against FiorentinaCredit: Getty
It is not unusual for the competition to move around the world and showcase Italian clubs to other countries, with China, Libya, the US and Qatar all among former hosts.
This is the third time that Saudi Arabia has held the tournament.
And this season is the first time that the Italian Super Cup has been contested with a four-team format, but it doesn’t appear to have captured the imagination of the Saudi Arabian public.
Napoli will face the winner of Friday’s other semi-final, between Inter Milan and Lazio, in the final at the same stadium on Monday night.
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An ariel image of the King Saud University Stadium has gone viral as fans are flabbergasted at how empty the ground was.
As one fan said: “Crazy scene, this should go back to Italy.”
While an angry supporter added: “F****** disgrace.”
A third then put: “Imagine watching your team go on a cup run into the final only to be told it’s being played in Saudi, how gutting for the genuine fans.”
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Despite the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema playing in the Kingdom the crowds have been embarrassing low in the Gulf State and the Saudi Pro League this term.
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Al-Riyadh, who sit 15th out of 18 teams in Saudi’s top tier, has hosted two matches with less than 150 people watching this season.
Meanwhile, a crunch relegation clash between Abha and Al-Hazm saw just 1.2 per cent of the stadium filled – 257 fans out of a possible 20,000.
More than half the teams in the league have an average attendance of less than 10,000 people.
The influx of star players has not translated into Saudi locals attending matches.
Smallest attendances in Saudi Pro League this seasonThe five smallest attendances in the Saudi Pro League this season are as follows:

Al-Riyadh vs Al-Khalee – 144
Abha vs Al-Hazm – 257
Al-Riyadh vs Al-Hazm – 264
Al-Wehda vs Al-Khaleej – 447
Al-Feiha vs Al-Ettifaq – 610 More