Serie A

LAZIO striker Ciro Immobile was “physically and verbally attacked” in front of his wife and four-year-old son outside a school on Friday, according to reports.The incident is said to have occurred outside the footballer’s son’s school building.Ciro Immobile was attacked in front of his wife and sonCredit: RexAccording to journalist Zach Lowy, Immobile is considering legal action.His agency are also said to be alleging “the Italian press instigated this attack by spreading false and malicious rumours that he played a key role in the sacking of Maurizio Sarri”.Lazio released a statement on Friday evening as they addressed the incident regarding their captain.It read: “The entire SS Lazio expresses full solidarity with its captain Ciro Immobile and his family for the disturbing and unacceptable attacks suffered in recent days. “Sport, and consequently its ethical value, must remain as such: any act of verbal or physical violence must receive unanimous condemnation, firmly and without justification.”But club president, Claudio Lotito, issued a bizarre statement to the media.He said: “It happens to me every day, I have lived under guard for 20 years. Daily death threats to me and my family.”What is the theme? I’m the president of a company with 8,000 employees, yet I don’t make all this fuss, period. And that’s all I’ll say.”Most read in FootballFormer Chelsea manager Sarri, 65, resigned as Lazio boss on Wednesday.He spent nearly three years at the club, guiding them to second-place in Serie A last season – their highest finish since 2000 when they won the title.Serie A top-scorer Ciro Immobile scores beautiful second goal of hat-trick versus Verona to become favourite for European golden bootBut five defeats in six games in all competitions spelled an end to Sarri’s reign.They are languishing down in ninth place in the Serie A table, seven points adrift of European qualification.Lazio were also knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last week, losing 3-1 on aggregate in their last-16 tie.Immobile, who won the Euros with Italy in 2021, has been with Lazio since 2016, racking up 331 appearances for the club, scoring 206 goals and providing 54 assists.He is Lazio’s all-time leading scorer.But he has struggled so far this season, netting just six times in 24 Serie A matches. More

JOSE MOURINHO has reportedly been earmarked for a stunning return to management.That comes off the back of Italian reports linking him with a move to Fenerbache.Fenerbache are keen on bringing Jose to IstanbulCredit: AlamyMourinho has been out of a job since January when he was sacked as coach of AS Roma.According to Calcio Mercato, Fenerbache hope the presence of former Serie A stalwarts Edin Dzeko and Leonardo Bonucci in their squad will help convince the coach to come to Turkey.The move would also see him link up with Fred, who he managed as Manchester United coach.Speaking at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix this month, Mourinho said he was ready to return to work but was wary of making the “wrong decision”.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA return to the Premier League has been mooted, with Mou linked with jobs at Newcastle, Manchester United and Chelsea.He also said he has turned down interest from Saudi clubs despite the offer of lucrative contracts.Fenerbache have been impressive this season, and are locked in a title race with fierce Istanbul rivals Galatasaray.They currently sit two points off the leaders with the league likely to go down to the wire.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Calcio Mercato report that the Turkish club will be ruthless if they lose out on the title this season however.And they see Mourinho as the final piece in the jigsaw to getting them over the line.Unemployed Jose Mourinho reveals he would return to management ‘tomorrow’ as he is linked with Premier League returnWhether Mourinho sees the Turkish league as glamorous enough to manage in remains to be seen though.It would take a huge offer to convince Mourinho to join the Istanbul side – and any offer of a handsome salary could easily be gazumped by a Saudi side. More

LECCE have sacked Roberto D’Aversa after he headbutted Hellas Verona star Thomas Henry in the immediate aftermath of yesterday’s game.The Serie A side slumped to a 1-0 home defeat, leaving D’Aversa incensed.Roberto D’Aversa was left frustrated by his side’s defeatCredit: APD’Aversa appeared to headbutt Thomas HenryHenry was held back as D’Aversa walked awayThings kicked off at the end of Lecce’s clash with Hellas VeronaCredit: GettyAt the end of the game he clashed with striker Henry, with both men receiving red cards for their roles in the astonishing exchange.In a 37-word statement released this morning, Lecce confirmed: “After the events that occurred at the end of the Lecce – Verona match, US Lecce announces that it has relieved coach D’Aversa of his duties.”Thanks go to the coach and his staff for the work done.”Verona leapfrogged Lecce in the table by winning 1-0, courtesy of Michael Folorunsho’s 17th minute winner.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAt the end of the game, D’Aversa made a bee-line for Henry.The Frenchman, 29, had only come on as an 86th minute substitute.During his cameo he received a yellow card in stoppage time for going head to head with Marin Pongracic.A war of words then continued between the duo before the final whistle.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL In the post-match exchange D’Aversa appeared to thrust his head into Henry, with the forward tumbling to the turf.A furious looking Henry was then held back by his team-mates as he yelled at onlookers.Ashley Young walks out of live TNT Sports interview after Joleon Lescott quip following Everton’s defeat to Man UtdAfter the game, D’Aversa apologised on social media.He wrote: “I would like to apologise to everyone and at the same time briefly reconstruct the sad and unpleasant episode that saw me as a negative protagonist at the end of the Lecce-Verona match.”I came into head-to-head contact with Henry, but I did not hit the Veronese player with a headbutt, nor did I receive one from him.”It was a physical contact, a terrible example, an anti-sporting image resulting from great tension and adrenaline, which however must not and do not want to be my excuses or mitigating factors.”I made a mistake and I apologise. I got carried away by the heat and lost clarity, but not to the point of hitting another person. This does not belong to me, I reject it and do not accept it.”Once again I apologise to Henry, to the Lecce, Verona and Italian public, to the referees, to the two clubs, to my management, my staff and my team.”D’Aversa joined Lecce last summer, having previously managed Virtus Lanciano, Parma and Sampdoria.He won just six of his 30 games in charge, drawing 10 and losing 14.READ MORE SUN STORIESYesterday’s defeat leaves Lecce just a point above the relegation zone.Next up they travel to bottom of the table Salernitana, before hosting Roma.D’Aversa has been relieved of his dutiesCredit: Rex More

A SERIE A relegation battle end in uproar as Lecce boss Roberto D’Aversa HEADBUTTED Verona striker Thomas Henry.Both men saw red for the astonishing exchange after the final whistle went on Verona’s 1-0 away win.Lecce boss Roberto D’Aversa stunned onlookers with this butt on Verona sub Thomas Henry following Sunday’s Italian top-flight gameCredit: X@lbertozziHenry is sent reeling by the contact as D’Aversa walks awayCredit: X@LBERTOZZIAs players and staff strode across the pitch, D’Aversa made a beeline for Henry.The former Sampdoria and Parma manager, 48, then thrust his head into the Verona sub’s face.The 29-year-old Frenchman tumbled backwards to the ground – while D’Aversa turned and walked calmly away.Henry got up quickly and it appeared he had to be held back by team-mates and members of staff.READ MORE TOP STORIESHe looked furious as he yelled at some of the bystanders.Italian football journalist Leonardo Bertozzi also claimed Henry  made gestures suggesting people were “scared” to face him.Michael Folorunsho’s deflected shot had put Verona in front on 17 minutes to raise the pressure on the home side.And when Henry came off the bench temperatures soared further.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The 6ft 4ins ex-Nantes ace was booked for confronting Lecce defender Marin Pongracic head to head.Referee Daniele Chiffi even warned Henry again when the clash between the two players continued.   Premier League club’s £500million stadium taking shape as incredible new pictures show building progressBut after Verona clung on for three points no-one could have foreseen the incredible scenes once the frenetic match ended.Defeat left Lecce just a point above the drop zone, with their visitors one point above them in a tight relegation fight involving at least eight clubs. More