Serie A

TWO men have been arrested after police seized packages branded with Cristiano Ronaldo’s logo containing 50kg of cocaine.A United States narcotics investigation found £1.5million worth of the illegal drug stashed in a closet in New York.
A drug bust in New York found 50kg of cocaine this week
The packages were disguised with the CR7 logo used by Cristiano Ronaldo
The cocaine was wrapped in packaging marked with the Juventus star’s ‘CR7’ branding.
Police officers found materials persistent with drug trafficking inside an apartment in Queens, including a loaded firearm, $10,000 in cash, and money counting machines.
An investigation led to 43-year-old Christopher Jones being observed as he entered the apartment on Monday afternoon, as confirmed by a US Justice Department statement.
Jones entered the complex empty handed but left with a suitcase and drove away before being arrested.
The suitcase was found to contain approximately $200,000 in cash.
Another man, Wykim Williams, was also arrested and there is no suggestion of a link between the raid and Ronaldo.
Police officers arrested and charged two men following the raid
Ronaldo’s CR7 logo is often found on his merchandiseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jones and Williams have been charged and detained under a six-figure cash bail.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said: “It is shocking to find, in an apartment closet in a large residential development across the street from a public park, a stash of cocaine worth $2million dollars, a handgun and equipment to support large scale narcotics trafficking.”
Cocaine seizures have risen 200 per cent in New York over the early months of 2021, in comparison to last year.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “These defendants allegedly brought a massive amount of cocaine into our community while illegally armed.”

This incident is not the first time drug smugglers have used superstar Ronaldo’s likeness to attempt to bypass the law.
In November last year, a Nicaraguan bust uncovered 340 packages of cocaine marked with the CR7 logo.
And a picture of Ronaldo emblazoned £3,500 worth of cannabis blocks seized from a suspected dealer in France in December 2018.
A year earlier, Peruvian authorities busted a haul of cocaine with a street value of £73m in packages which featured Lionel Messi’s face.
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CRISTIANO RONALDO’S mum has revealed her ten-year-old grandson Cristiano Jr begged her: “Grandma don’t die.”Dolores Aveiro also confessed she was so unsure she’d pull through after her stroke the first thing she did when she woke up was telling her eldest daughter Elma the code for the safe where she kept her valuables.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s son begged his grandma not to die when she had her stroke last yearCredit: Instagram
Dolores Aveiro opened up on her experiences during a TV interview in PortugalCredit: Dois às 10
The 66-year-old, who was rushed to hospital in her native island of Madeira on last spring, said in an emotional TV interview in which she broke down in tears: “I got up to go to the bathroom and fainted and fell.
“When I came round I tried to get up but realised the left side of my body was paralysed.
“I called my partner Jose Andrade and told him I wasn’t feeling well and asked him to dial 999.
“I don’t remember getting to the hospital.”
The mum-of-four, who has also battled breast cancer, told interviewer Maria Botelho Moniz on Portuguese TV station TVI: “My children gave me a lot of strength.
“It was hard and I thought it was the end for me.
“When I saw my eldest grandson Cristianinho come into my room to visit me, it was a huge shock for me.
“I begged God not to take me, I want to see my grandchildren grow up and that’s what happened. There was a lot of faith there, but it was hard.”

She added: “I saw all my children cry, although they didn’t want to worry me.
“I’ve been operated on both breasts and that was never as hard as this has been.
“When Cristianinho saw me cry so much, he told me, ‘Grandma don’t die.’
“It moved me. When he phones he always asks me if I’m better. I live for my family, especially my grandchildren.”
Dolores was rushed to Madeira’s Nelio Mendonca Hospital on March 3 last year after suffering an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain.
She was later transferred to a private hospital on the island.
Ronaldo flew from his home in Italy to be by her side.
Revealing her memory was not affected by her health scare but she was worried she would not not survive, Dolores admitted: “When I opened my eyes and saw my eldest daughter by her side, I didn’t know what might happen to me and and said, ‘Elma, I haven’t given you the code for my safe.’
Life is taking one day at a timeDolores Aveiro
“I gave her the number, just like that, despite her telling me: ‘Mum, I don’t want to know the number.’
“When she tried it, the safe opened and that made me sure my memory was as good as ever.”
Dolores, who is still recovering, stressed the importance of an early diagnosis for health problems.
And she also gave credit to her superstar son and Juventus forward Cristiano for helping.
She added: “It’s so important to alert people who feel something’s wrong to get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
“In my case it was five minutes. Cristiano phoned the doctor from Italy, then I was operated on, thanks God. Many people don’t have the same luck as me.
“My recovery is gradual. I have physiotherapy, I walk, I had a few months of discomfort.
“I left hospital walking but I was affected on my left side, my mouth, my leg, my speech.

“Now I’m feeling good and bit by bit I’ll get back to being 100 per cent.
“I have to be careful about what I eat and I can’t wear high heels. I use simpler clothes, things without buttons.
“Life is taking one day at a time.”
Dolores spoke on the anniversary of her near-death experience and stressed the magnitude of the scare.
She said: “A year ago today I saw my life almost running between my fingers.
“And luckily I managed to hold on to a light, a light that pulled me up, a light that stubbornly insisted that it was just another obstacle to be overcome and another story of overcoming to tell.
“I never spoke openly about what actually happened, just because I recovered to almost 100 per cent people think that nothing happened or that the scare I gave my children and those who really love me was small.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s beloved mum Dolores rushed to hospital after suffering suspected stroke at 5am More

ROMA could be about to hand Maurizio Sarri a return to management following reports of talks between the two parties.Paulo Fonseca is set to leave the Serie A club following a disappointing season, and discussions with Sarri began some time ago.
Maurizio Sarri has reportedly rebuffed an approach from Serie A side FiorentinaCredit: Getty
According to Leggo, the 62-year-old was contacted by Roma earlier this year and talks have since accelerated.
Negotiations are described as going well with the ex-Chelsea and Juventus boss said to like the prospect of coaching the Giallorossi.
He reportedly sees Roma as a good fit for his 4-3-3 formation with the potential to build the team into a real force over the medium-term.
Alternative offers to coach in Turkey, France, and with Fiorentina are thought to be of less interest to Sarri.
However, the Friedkin Group in charge at Roma may yet be tempted by Massimiliano Allegri if he throws his hat into the ring.
With four defeats and a draw in their last eight league games, the club’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s Champions League are fading.
Former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Fonseca guided the side to fifth in Serie A last season while falling early in both cup competitions.
A humiliating Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Spezia almost led to his sacking in January and even a strong run in the Europa League, with Ajax up in the quarter-finals, will reportedly not be enough to save his job.
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Fellow former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is also wanted by RomaCredit: EPA

Sarri has been out of work since leaving Juventus last summer, despite winning the club’s ninth consecutive Scudetto.
He had previously won the Europa League in a single season at Chelsea.
Should the Italian make the move to Roma, there is every chance he will be linked with a return to Stamford Bridge to sign long-time midfield general Jorginho.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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JUVENTUS stars Weston McKennie, Paulo Dybala and Arthur are reportedly in hot water for breaking Covid rules and attending a party.The trio are all set to be fined by the club after American McKennie, 22, defied restrictions to hold the bash at his home last night.
Juventus star Weston McKennie reportedly held a party at his house last night and defied Covid liesCredit: Getty
Paulo Dybala has been fined after he was amongst the revellersCredit: Getty
That is according to La Stampa, who report that the former Schalke midfielder partied with his team-mates and around 17 other pals.
The news comes as the club confirmed Leonardo Bonucci is isolating at home after he tested positive for Covid-19 upon returning from international duty with Italy.
Under current coronavirus rules put in place in Italy, private parties have been forbidden.
Police were called to the scene when neighbours noticed a party was going on inside McKennie’s home.
However, when cops arrived around 11.30pm, nobody answered the door at his home.
There is a nationwide curfew in Italy from 10pm until 5am.
After trying to get access into the property for over an hour, police were finally allowed in, and that is when they discovered Dybala and Arthur amongst the revellers.
However, Il Corriere di Torino reports the attendees did not prevent officers from entering the property.
Fellow Juve star Arthur was also allegedly in attendance at the bashCredit: Alamy

Fortunately for the Juventus threesome they did escape a charge for resisting police.
But they have been fined £340 each under the country’s current law along with the rest of those in attendance.
And the players are set to be hit in the pocket even further.
Juventus, who have so far not commented on the reports, are also due to fine all three footballers when they return to training.
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CRISTIANO RONALDO’S mum revealed her ten-year-old grandson Cristiano Jr begged her: “Grandma don’t die.”Dolores Aveiro also confessed she was so unsure she would pull through after her stroke the first thing she did when she woke up was telling her eldest daughter Elma the code for the safe where she kept her valuables.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s son begged his grandma not to die when she had her stroke last yearCredit: Instagram
Dolores Aveiro opened up on her experiences during a TV interview in PortugalCredit: Dois às 10
The 66-year-old, who was rushed to hospital in her native island of Madeira on last spring, said in an emotional TV interview in which she broke down in tears: “I got up to go to the bathroom and fainted and fell.
“When I came round I tried to get up but realised the left side of my body was paralysed.
“I called my partner Jose Andrade and told him I wasn’t feeling well and asked him to dial 999.
“I don’t remember getting to the hospital.”
The mum-of-four, who has also battled breast cancer, told interviewer Maria Botelho Moniz on Portuguese TV station TVI: “My children gave me a lot of strength.
“It was hard and I thought it was the end for me.
“When I saw my eldest grandson Cristianinho come into my room to visit me, it was a huge shock for me.
“I begged God not to take me, I want to see my grandchildren grow up and that’s what happened. There was a lot of faith there, but it was hard.”

She added: “I saw all my children cry, although they didn’t want to worry me.
“I’ve been operated on both breasts and that was never as hard as this has been.
“When Cristianinho saw me cry so much, he told me, ‘Grandma don’t die.’
“It moved me. When he phones he always asks me if I’m better. I live for my family, especially my grandchildren.”
Dolores was rushed to Madeira’s Nelio Mendonca Hospital on March 3 last year after suffering an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain.
She was later transferred to a private hospital on the island.
Ronaldo flew from his home in Italy to be by her side.
Revealing her memory was not affected by her health scare but she was worried she would not not survive, Dolores admitted: “When I opened my eyes and saw my eldest daughter by her side, I didn’t know what might happen to me and and said, ‘Elma, I haven’t given you the code for my safe.’
Life is taking one day at a timeDolores Aveiro
“I gave her the number, just like that, despite her telling me: ‘Mum, I don’t want to know the number.’
“When she tried it, the safe opened and that made me sure my memory was as good as ever.”
Dolores, who is still recovering, stressed the importance of an early diagnosis for health problems.
And she also gave credit to her superstar son and Juventus forward Cristiano for helping.
She added: “It’s so important to alert people who feel something’s wrong to get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
“In my case it was five minutes. Cristiano phoned the doctor from Italy, then I was operated on, thanks God. Many people don’t have the same luck as me.
“My recovery is gradual. I have physiotherapy, I walk, I had a few months of discomfort.
“I left hospital walking but I was affected on my left side, my mouth, my leg, my speech.

“Now I’m feeling good and bit by bit I’ll get back to being 100 per cent.
“I have to be careful about what I eat and I can’t wear high heels. I use simpler clothes, things without buttons.
“Life is taking one day at a time.”
Dolores spoke on the anniversary of her near-death experience and stressed the magnitude of the scare.
She said: “A year ago today I saw my life almost running between my fingers.
“And luckily I managed to hold on to a light, a light that pulled me up, a light that stubbornly insisted that it was just another obstacle to be overcome and another story of overcoming to tell.
“I never spoke openly about what actually happened, just because I recovered to almost 100 per cent people think that nothing happened or that the scare I gave my children and those who really love me was small.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s beloved mum Dolores rushed to hospital after suffering suspected stroke at 5am More

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA’s contract talks with AC Milan have reportedly hit a hitch, in a boost to interested Chelsea.The Serie A giants are desperate to keep their young No1, who has been a regular fixture between the sticks at San Siro since he was just 16.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, could leave AC Milan this seasonCredit: PA
But his current deal expires in June and reaching an agreement with his agent Mino Raiola is no easy feat.
According to Sky Italia, talks between Milan and Raiola are currently ‘paused’, with both parties having hit an impasse.
Having initially offered a five-year deal on around £100,000-a-week, plus bonuses, Milan have upped their offer to £115,000-a-week, as well as Champions League-related incentives.
Italian outlet Libero reported earlier this month that Chelsea are ready to blow Milan’s offer out of the water, however, with a £150,000-a-week deal mooted.
Milan believe that there is a will on Donnarumma’s part to stay, having grown up with the club.
And they will not be drawn by Raiola’s suggestion of a one-year deal.
Instead, club chiefs remain calm and believe that Donnarumma, 22, will eventually decide to sign.
AC Milan currently sit second in the Serie A table, six points behind rivals and leaders Inter with 11 games remaining.
Donnarumma is capable of outstanding savesCredit: Getty
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They are also six points above fifth-placed Napoli, and are desperate to qualify for the Champions League – a competition that Donnarumma is yet to play in.
Sealing qualification could be key to retaining Italy’s No1, who sees it as imperative that he becomes a regular in the competition.
Donnarumma has already amassed a remarkable 241 appearances for his club, and Milan believe that this number will continue to grow beyond the end of this season.

⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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