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    Thugs try to rob ex-Italy star at gunpoint for luxury watch.. but angry former Roma forward insults them and drives away

    FORMER ITALY star Alessio Cerci reportedly fought off gun-wielding thugs who tried to rob his luxury watch.The incident took place on Wednesday just before midnight.
    Alessio Cerci, left, fended off the thugsCredit: AP:Associated Press
    The 35-year-old was walking back to his car in Portuense, Rome, when he was approached by two bandits.
    They brandished a gun and asked Cerci for his watch, but the former winger realised it was a fake, according to Corriere della Sera.
    So he continued to his car and ended up driving off – but not before launching insults at the pair.
    The former AC Milan and Roma star reportedly avoided injury and he has since provided police with descriptions of the two assailants.
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    The pair are wanted by police, and authorities believe they may have used the fake gun to scare other victims.
    Footballers in Italy have been frequent targets of crime in the last few months, including World Cup winner Angel Di Maria.
    The winger’s Turin mansion was broken into by burglars last October.
    Unconfirmed reports said neighbours had heard shots and a gun had been found near the scene.
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    Milan defender Theo Hernandez had his house burgled not long after, with thieves stealing watches, jewels and cash.
    The left-back was not at his house at the time of the incident but his wife, Zoe Cristofoli, and their six-month-old son were present during the ordeal.
    Once inside the robbers are said to have forced her to open a safe. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo shared luxury £3.5k-a-week fishing village home with Georgina Rodriguez during coronavirus pandemic

    THIS is the stunning ocean-view villa Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly rented for his family before he returned to Italy during the coronavirus pandemic.The Al-Nassr striker, then at Juventus, picked the £3,500-a-week six-bed property in a remote spot near the fishing village of Canical after tiring of his luxury apartment in the Madeira capital Funchal during the first lockdown.
    Man Utd superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was said to have switched to this amazing home near the sea in Carnical from his luxury apartment in Madeira last summerCredit: Airbnb
    Portugal hero Ronaldo reportedly hired this incredible property, yet returned to Italy within daysCredit: Airbnb
    The coronavirus lockdown didn’t hit Ronaldo too hard, judging by the living roomCredit: Airbnb
    The star currently lives in a mind-blowing Saudi mansion after his move to the Middle East at the end of last year.
    But back in 2020, a video 36-year-old Ronaldo posted on Instagram showed him doing sprints up a ramp with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, next to a red-roofed house with a large garden – very different to the urban seven-storey apartment he bought in 2019 and had been staying at during the coronavirus lockdown.
    ‘IDEAL HOLIDAY HOME’
    Ronaldo’s rented villa, which can sleep six, is in a gated estate and has a huge pool set in a landscaped garden with palm trees, stunning views of the Atlantic, and direct access to the beach below.
    It also has a games room with a snooker table, and an outside BBQ.
    It is described on local property website Madeira-legacy.com as “very private” and the “ideal holiday home for a family or group of friends.”
    Cristiano and Georgina were believed to have relaxed there with children Ronaldinho Jr and twins Eva and Matteo.
    There is no shortage of entertainment on offer in the property Ronaldo reportedly rented, including a games roomCredit: Airbnb
    Ocean views enhance the luxury of the villa Ronaldo and his family were thought to enjoy last summerCredit: Airbnb
    The kitchen facilities are hardly cramped for Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez and their childrenCredit: Airbnb
    Ronaldo returned to his native Portugal after the lockdownCredit: AFP or licensors
    Correio da Manha’s magazine Vidas quoted a source saying: “He felt he needed space, that he was getting a bit stifled inside four walls.
    “This new place has a big garden and more privacy of course. Cristiano is very used to having a quiet life.”
    Ronaldo’s mum Dolores Aveiro, who suffered a stroke last year, and his older brother Hugo are understood to have stayed on in Funchal.
    They live on lower floors of the seven-storey apartment block the footballer bought in 2019 so he could enjoy the top two floors and its rooftop swimming pool when he was in town.

    The lack of privacy Cristiano had by being in Funchal meant that when he went out for a quick walk with his family, they were approached by fans and pictures of them were taken which went round the world.
    Georgina was also photographed shopping days earlier.
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    Canical, a half-hour drive east of Funchal, is home to around 6,000 people. It was the centre of the whaling industry until the early eighties and has a whale museum.
    Emanuel Santos, the sculptor behind a bizarre statue of Cristiano which was mocked all over the world after it was unveiled at Madeira’s airport in March 2017, comes from Canical.
    One of the sculptures he had crafted before the Ronaldo bust was unveiled, of two fishermen sat in a small fishing boat, is on a roundabout at the entrance to the village.
    Ronaldo and David Beckham  reminisce about Real Madrid in live video instagram chat More

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    Jose Mourinho bizarrely fumes at ‘JOKE’ decision to dock rivals Juventus 10 points – but Roma boss has a good reason

    ROMA boss Jose Mourinho lashed out at the “joke” decision to dock Serie A rivals Juventus 10 points in a bizarre rant.Juve were slapped with a 15-point penalty in January after being accused of inflating transfer fees in dealings with Italian clubs over three seasons to create millions in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
    Roma boss Jose Mourinho fumed at Juventus’ 10-point deductionCredit: Rex
    Mourinho claims Roma would have a different approach if they knew about the deductionCredit: Getty
    It was stated that the Bianconeri had manipulated the system to free up their spending powers in the market.
    However, the deduction was reversed in April pending a new trial with the Federal Court of Appeal, who ultimately imposed the latest sanctions that saw the team dropped from second to seventh on Monday night.
    As a result, Mourinho saw his team climb up to sixth place with only one point separating them from Europe League qualification and four from a Champions League spot.
    However, the former Chelsea boss is still not pleased with the development.
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    The ex-Manchester United manager claims his team’s “approach” would have been different in the run-in to the final matches of the season, had they known about the deduction.
    Mourinho told DAZN: “It’s a joke to know this with two games remaining. For us and everyone, even for Juventus. 
    “Our approach would have been different if we had known before the games with Monza and Bologna.
    “I am sorry for [Massimiliano] Allegri and his players, but at the league level, I have to say that it changes things a little.
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    “To me, yes, [the season was warped] but I no longer want to talk about this.
    “I am sorry for professionals who work like me because they pay for errors that directors and maybe the club did.”
    Mourinho opted for a weakened side against Monza and Bologna earlier this month due to their Europa League semi-finals before they advanced to the final.
    Both matches ended in a draw, as did Monday’s clash with Salernitana.
    The Special One clearly suggests he would have approached those games differently had he known of the impending point deduction that would bring his team closer to Champions League qualification.
    Juventus stated they will challenge the decision, which means there could be even more drama in the Serie A table. More

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    Watch ex-Celtic star brutally mock Chelsea transfer target Dusan Vlahovic over his huge price tag

    FANS are convinced they saw Liam Henderson mocking Dusan Vlahovic over his crazy price tag. The former Celtic and Hibs midfielder now plays for Italian side Empoli and was up against Vlahovic’s Juventus.

    Dusan Vlahovic and Liam Henderson clashed during the game
    Vlahovic has managed 23 goals in 63 appearances since signing for Juventus
    It was an embarrassing evening on two counts for Vlahovic as Juventus were smashed 4-1 by their mid-table rivals as well as taking an earful from Henderson.
    The Serbian striker has been linked with a move away from the Italian giants this summer after a disappointing start to life in Turin.
    He joined the Old Lady last January for a fee of £58.3million from Fiorentina.
    And it seems Henderson was keen to point out that he hasn’t lived up to his billing.
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    The Scotsman can be seen shouting at Vlahovic in a clip doing the rounds on social media.
    And many fans are convinced he was savagely taunting the taunting the Juve striker.
    Henderson appears to say: “Oooooh 80 million… oooooh”
    Vlahovic has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer after Juventus’ crisis-filled season.
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    Despite not living up to expectations, Juventus are believed to want to recoup all of the money they spent on him.
    The Blues have a shocking history of centre forward signings and fans will be hoping that Vlahovic won’t be another Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata or Romelu Lukaku. More

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    Arsenal handed huge and unlikely Champions League boost after Juventus given 10-point deduction

    JUVENTUS have been hit by a 10-point deduction – boosting Arsenal’s Champions League hopes.The Italian giants dropped out of the Serie A top four as a result of the penalty.
    Mikel Arteta has received a Champions League boost as Arsenal prepare to return to the competitionCredit: Getty
    Juventus are set to miss out on the Champions League after their points deductionCredit: Getty
    And it means that failing to beat AC Milan on Sunday will end their hope of Champions League qualification for next season – and ensure the Gunners will be in the second seeding pot for the group stage draw in August.
    The final verdict by Italian FA Court of Appeal is the latest development in a long-running saga.
    In January, Juve were found guilty of a transfer scam over three seasons, which was orchestrated by then-sporting director Fabio Paratici, who joined Spurs in 2021.
    Juventus were judged to have inflated transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
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    That allowed the club to spend more in the market than would have been allowed under Financial Fair Play regulations.
    The Turin outfit was initially handed a 15-point deduction, when senior club figures including ex-President Andrea Agnelli and Paratici were handed lengthy bans.
    Although the points punishment was suspended last month, pending yesterday’s hearing, Paratici resigned from his role at Tottenham after his ban was confirmed.
    Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine, on behalf of the Italian FA, demanded an 11-point penalty at the start of a three-hour virtual hearing on Monday.
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    How the Champions League pots are projected to look
    Juventus argued that the punishment should not be so severe because the breaches took place under Agnelli’s leadership of the club and that there had subsequently been a major overhaul of the board.
    But the tribunal imposed the major punishment in a verdict which the club suggested it might still appeal.
    Juventus said: “This judgment arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters.”
    UEFA have already opened proceedings which could result in a European ban for the Italian club.
    But if Juve are not in next season’s Champions League, Arsenal will be assured of a place in the second group of seeds and avoid a potential nightmare draw in the group phase. More

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    Juventus hit with TEN-point penalty leaving club’s Champions League hopes in tatters

    JUVENTUS have been re-hit with a points deduction.And it means they will fall down the Serie A table and out of the Champions League qualification spots.
    Juventus have had their points penalty confirmedCredit: Getty
    Juventus were initially slapped with a 15-point penalty in January after being accused of inflating transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs over three seasons to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
    It was stated that Juve had manipulated the system to free up their spending powers in the market.
    The punishment also saw Fabio Paratici given a worldwide football ban after his involvement in the scandal
    This then prompted his resignation from Tottenham.
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    However, the 15-point deduction was reversed in April pending a new trial with the FIGC Federal Court of Appeal.
    And the findings of the latest investigation have seen Juventus impacted again.
    Before the latest developments, Juventus were second in Serie A on 69 points, one ahead of Lazio and three clear of Inter.
    However, the club have now been docked 10 points which will see them drop to seventh place.
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    This means with two games remaining in the season, Juventus will not be able to qualify for the Champions League as they cannot catch fourth-placed Inter Milan.
    The club released the following statement: “Juventus Football Club takes note of what was decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal to the Guarantee Board at CONI.
    “What was established by the fifth instance of judgment in this matter, which began more than a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that do not seem to take into account the principle of proportionality.
    “While not ignoring the need for urgency, which Juventus has never shied away from during the proceedings, it is emphasised that these are facts that still have to be evaluated by a judge.”
    AC Milan were back in fifth and are now fourth on 64 with Atalanta moring to fifth on 61 and Roma seventh on 60.
    This also saw Roma bumped up into the Europa League Conference qualification spot.
    Jose Mourinho’s men may have thought their hopes of remaining seventh were in peril after only managing a 2-2 draw at home to Salernitana.
    But Juventus than collapsed to a 4-1 loss at Empoli to cap off one of the darkest days in the club’s history. More

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    Former Man Utd star Edinson Cavani’s 10-year-old son having trials with dad’s old club

    THE son of former Manchester United star Edinson Cavani is having trials at Napoli. The striker’s 10-year-old boy Lucas is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a footballer.
    Luca Cavani [back left] is on trial at NapoliCredit: Instagram
    Edinson Cavani played for the Italian club between 2010 and 2013Credit: AFP
    Cavani, 36, played for Napoli during a three-year stay prior to his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
    He played 138 times for the Italian side, scoring 104 goals, with his son now a big supporter of the club and potential future star of this season’s Scudetto champions.
    Cavani explained to DAZN: “He’s having tryouts, I want him to have fun and be happy because this is the meaning of sport.”
    Lucas and his 12-year-old brother Bautista were both born while the Uruguayan was at the Serie A side and their mother is his ex-wife Maria.
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    Cavani said: “They are crazy about Napoli. They were born in Naples and support Napoli. They also know all the chants.
    “Their idols are Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
    “You had to see them when Napoli won the Scudetto and didn’t win the Champions League.”
    There could be more members of the family making their way into football soon after having his third child India and fourth kid Silvestre with girlfriend Jocelyn Burgardt.
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    Cavani currently plays for Valencia in Spain after leaving Man Utd last summer after two seasons.
    Meanwhile, he has also hailed the performances of Osimhen, who has been linked with a move to the Red Devils.
    He said: “I really like his hunger, it’s incredible, he never gives up. He can become one of the strongest in the world.”
    Osimhen has scored scored 28 goals in 37 games this season.
    Napoli could reportedly refuse to sell him this summer and appear unlikely to entertain any bids of under £100million. More

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    Man Utd transfer target Rasmus Hojlund’s alarming dip in form explained by Atalanta manager

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S interest in Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund has played a part in his dip in form, his manager has revealed.The Red Devils are in the market for someone to lead the line for Erik ten Hag’s side next season.
    Rasmus Hojlund has attracted interest from Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    And Danish attacker – who has been dubbed Erling Haaland 2.0 – has been the subject of rumours around an Old Trafford move as a result of his superb performances.
    But in recent months he has dropped off, with just one goal in his last seven Serie A appearances – which came at the weekend.
    And while Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini recognises there are numerous reasons for this, he insists transfer speculation has been one of them.
    Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: “The qualities are all there, at the beginning we had to get to know him but he immediately stood out for his great will to break through.
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    “He did very well after the first stop [part of the season], then he was called up to the national team and too many rumours distracted him, then there was the [abductor] injury.”
    He went on to add: “Today’s goal demonstrates his power, if he knows how to improve he can take away great satisfaction.
    “You have to know how to accept his moments, he will mature in all aspects.”
    Hojlund, 20, has contributed 15 goals and six assists in 40 appearances for Atalanta this season.
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    Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are understood to be the leading candidates on Man Utd’s wishlist of strikers.
    But Hojlund is undoubtedly in the frame and revealed his love for the Red Devils earlier this year.
    He said: “Now that you ask, I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan.
    “So personally, it would be one of the biggest things for me [to sign for United], but of course that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other big clubs if the offers come at some point.”
    Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini feels Hojlund has been distracted by transfer interestCredit: Getty More