Serie A

VICTOR OSIMHEN has posted a furious rant at Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent on social media.The Napoli striker hit out at his team-mate’s representative after he claimed Osimhen would leave the club.
Victor Osimhen has hit out at Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent for his transfer claimsCredit: Rex
Fans compared Osimhen to Will Smith after his X-rated outburstCredit: Rex
Mamuka Jegeli told Georgian TV that the forward will complete a transfer to Saudi Arabia in the summer despite signing a new contract with Napoli.
Osimhen penned a new two-and-a-half year deal with the Italian champions in December to keep him at the club until 2026.
Responding to Jegeli’s comments on social media, the 25-year-old wrote: “Dear Mamuka Jugeli, you are a piece of filth and a disgrace.
“I’m embarrassed at your sense of reasoning. Dumb f***! KEEP MY NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!”
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Fans were quick to compare Osimhen’s outburst to Will Smith’s infamous confrontation with Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022.
The actor slapped Rock on stage before telling him to “keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth” after a comment about Jada Pinkett Smith.
One commented: “Osimhen went full Will smith!!!”
Another added: “Good for Osimhen, that was so disrespectful from Kvara’s agent. Will Smith mode activated.”
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Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars before shouting at the comedianCredit: AFP
Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jegeli claimed Osimhen was heading to Saudi ArabiaCredit: Instagram
Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda also released a statement in response to the comments.
He wrote: “Everyone must look into their own home and have respect for the work of others. It is not correct to talk about the future of other players.
“This creates misunderstandings and problems as well as unfortunate predictions.
“The alleged words of agent Mamuka Jugeli are bad, superficial and unacceptable.
“These words create problems for my player Victor Osimhen with Napoli fans without any reason or reality.
“We have just signed a contract renewal and Victor’s only wish, in addition to the Africa Cup of Nations, is to help Napoli. Everything else is rubbish.”
Osimhen, who is currently on international duty with Nigeria, has scored 67 goals in 119 appearances for Napoli.
His goals helped the club claim their first Scudetto since 1990 last season as he claimed the Serie A golden boot. More

JOSE MOURINHO is “considering his future at Roma” a day after being sent off against Atalanta, according to reports.The Portuguese manager received two yellows for two “crazy” outbursts towards the referee in the 1-1 draw.
Mourinho was sent off for two yellows against AtalantaCredit: Getty
He fumed at the ref both timesCredit: Getty
Red cards have become commonplace for Mourinho and his background staff at Roma, this was the FIFTH TIME he’d been sent off in a season and a half.
His latest misdemeanour comes with Roma in wretched form.
Roma are winless in four of their last five outings and eighth in Serie A.
The Giallorossi are one point behind their rivals Lazio in seventh and Atalanta in fourth.
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Mourinho’s contract is up at the end of the season, and according to Foot Mercato – there is reluctance on both sides to commit to a new deal.
After a torrid start to the season, there were already rumours that Mourinho could lose his job in October, where Mourinho said: “Three months ago, I was loved. 
“There was panic just talking about my goodbyes. Today, given that we had a horrible start to the season in the league, I am questioning myself. 
“But that’s not a problem. You keep talking about the future, but I don’t have to talk about the future.”
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He further clarified his future in recent weeks amid rumours that he may take the Brazil national team job.
Mourinho said: “Brazil didn’t call me to become the new coach. I told my agent: don’t talk to anyone as long as I’m the coach of AS Roma. 
“I trust the owners of AS Roma 100% . I always informed them, including when Portugal called me… And when the Saudi club called me last summer.”
Further fuelling speculation that Mourinho will leave Roma in the summer is the imminent departure of sporting director Tiago Pinto.
Pinto was instrumental in bringing the manager to Roma in 2021 and the two are said to enjoy a good working relationship.
Antonio Conte and former Marseille manager Igor Tudor are among the names the Roma board are considering appointing should Mourinho depart in the summer. More

RAGING Roma boss Jose Mourinho had fans calling for a Premier League return after he saw red for two “classic”outbursts against Atalanta.Mourinho “riled” back the years to his days at Spurs, Manchester United and Chelsea with a pair of crazy yellow cards in Sunday’s 1-1 Serie A draw.
José Mourinho is 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙𝗙 ❌😳He receives a second yellow after reacting furiously to a decision from the referee 😬 pic.twitter.com/vmOmsPKmWI— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 7, 2024

Jose Mourinho is 60 and not out and continues to get all the attention
Classic José Mourinho 😅He furiously sprints out of his dugout, contesting a decision from the referee, before being yellow carded 👀 pic.twitter.com/0yXd1b41pT— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 7, 2024

Mourinho picked up a red card for two bookingsCredit: Getty
First, the Portuguese manager ran furiously from his dugout to the touchline, protesting to referee Gianluca Aureliano over a decision.
Wide-armed and open-mouthed, Mourinho shook as he vented his feelings – just as he did so often during his nine years in England.
That rant earned him his first booking – with viewers claiming it proved she’s still the “Special One”.
He then confirmed that, at the age of 60, he’s lost none of his fire and fitness by jumping up and down in anger over another of the ref’s verdicts in the dying minutes.
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Out came the yellow card again – this time earning comments online such as “pure gold Mourinho” as he was dismissed.
One fan posted: “Miss him in the Prem! We need a bit more of that.”
And others believe his reactions are a welcome antidote to players and managers suppressing their feelings.
He wrote: “They’re trying to make the game as robotic as possible man, I’m getting so tired of the bare minimum of emotion being punished.”
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But some viewers argued Mourinho’s antics are getting “tired”.
One suggested: “Man doesn’t learn and it’s lost its impact now.”
Mourinho’s bitter exchanges weren’t the only dramatic responses in the Italian top-flight stalemate.
Roma striker Paulo Dybala celebrated his penalty equaliser by sprinting back to the halfway line and THROWING the ball at Atalanta scorer Teun Koopmeiners.
That’s because the Holland midfielder had tried in vain to distract the Argentinian as he prepared for his successful spot-kick.

Referee Gianluca Aureliano flashed the yellow card to MourinhoCredit: Rex
The referee wasn’t going to take much more from Mourinho
Mourinho put an arm round whistler Aureliano after his bookingCredit: Getty More

INTER MILAN hero Davide Frattesi showed it’s stills pants-omime season – with a celebration blooper live on TV after his stoppage time winner.The midfielder accidentally revealed his underwear when his shorts came down as team-mates mobbed him for nicking a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona that put Inter five points clear in Serie A.

Davide Frattesi goes overboard with his celebrationsCredit: Reuters
Frattesi was on such a high he might not have cared about his kit gaffeCredit: Getty
Frattesi raced away to climb a railing and punch the air in delight in front of San Siro supporters.
But he ended up sharing more than his goal joy with fans – especially those watching at home – as his lower kit was unexpectedly rearranged rather revealingly.
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez had put Inter in front early on but Thomas Henry grabbed a surprise equaliser for lowly Hellas on 74 minutes.
However, as the hosts piled on the pressure, visitors’ keeper Lorenzo Montipo fumbled a low shot and Frattesi nipped in to stab home at the far post.
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He sprinted off to enjoy the moment – but his shorts were manhandled downwards as he was hoisted up and around by fellow Inter stars.
One viewer posted: “Bro’s cheeks were fully out”.
Another joked: “Whoops not quite a ‘late winner’.”
And a third was amused to see the quick-thinking of Frattesi’s midfield colleague Hakan Calhanoglu.
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The fan wrote: “Calhanoglu pulling his shorts back up.”
Incredibly, there was even greater drama to follow amid 12 MINUTES of added time.
First, Verona winger Darko Lazovic picked up a straight red for dissent.
Then, in the 100th minute, a belated VAR check showed Inter’s ex-Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian had handled in the box.
Henry sent keeper Yann Sommer the wrong way with his penalty – but drilled it wide as Inter successfully clung on for three points.
“What a finish,” said one viewer, and “Inter are the luckiest team ever,” claimed another. More

SERIE A has lost the “Beckham Law” after tense discussions took place with the Italian government.The law, officially known as the Crescita Decree, let’s high income earners from foreign countries have a 50 per cent discount on their tax bill.
The Crescita Decree was coined the ‘Beckham Law’ after David Beckham made use of a similar rule in SpainCredit: Getty
AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani previously claimed ditching the law would be ‘the destruction of Italian football’Credit: Getty
It is thought to attract foreign footballers to the Italian leagues and helps to increase competitiveness across Italy’s top flight.
The ruling is remarkably similar to the “Beckham Law” in Spain which allows high income foreign earners to pay just 24% income tax for their first six years in the country.
The tax decree was coined the “Beckham Law” after David Beckham became one of the most notable foreigners to take advantage of it after he moved to Real Madrid in 2003.
But the Italian equivalent will no longer stand after discussions in the Italian Council of Ministers have led to the rule being binned.
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The change will come as a big shock to a number of Serie A clubs who rely on the law to attract the best talents from around the world.
Back in November the CEO of AC Milan, Giorgio Furlani, made his stance on the proposed changes clear.
He said: “Stopping the benefits of the Crescita Decree will be the destruction of Italian football.”
While other bigwigs in the Italian game have reacted with similar outrage since the announcement to end the law was made.
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Lazio president, Claudio Lotito, told Notizie: “They [the government] will realise their mistake. The state will not receive money either.
“If you attract a foreigner who pays taxes in Italy, it will be better than one who does not come and pays nothing, right? Our league will lose competitiveness!”
He went on to explain that the rule change could see some of Europe’s biggest teams collapse.
He said: “Some clubs will be destroyed, and in the middle there are Milan, Juventus and Roma.”
While those from the footballing world are left seething and concerned about a lack of competitiveness in the league, Italian politicians were more concerned about the bigger picture.
One slammed the idea of keeping the law in place as “immoral” when discussions were ongoing in the Council of Ministers.
Lazio President Claudio Lotito has also spoken out against the law changeCredit: Getty More