AC Milan end Serie season amid widespread protests
AC Milan have beaten last-placed Monza 2-0 in their final match of the Serie A season amid widespread protests.
Matteo Gabbia scored with a second-half header at the San Siro then Joao Felix converted a free kick as Milan moved up to seventh place on Saturday.
Earlier, thousands of fans protested outside the club headquarters over Milan failing to qualify for Europe and losing to Bologna in the Italian Cup final.
There were more protests inside the San Siro.
Fans on the upper level at one end positioned themselves to form the words, "Go home." Then they walked out during the early stages of the first half.
There were also chants aimed at Milan's American owner Gerry Cardinale.
"Cardinale, you have to sell. Get out," the fans said.
Milan began the season as potential title contenders but ended up 19 points behind champions Napoli.
The seven-time European champions were eliminated by Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs in February.
Meanwhile, city rivals Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday.
Genoa won at Bologna 3-1 with two goals from 18-year-old Lorenzo Venturino.
The defeat still didn't prevent Bologna fans from celebrating another strong season, which included an Italian Cup trophy and a Europa League berth.
Bologna were left in ninth place while Genoa was 13th.
Vitinha put Genoa ahead early and Venturino made the most of his first start with two first-half goals, the first of which included some fancy dribbling past several defenders.
Riccardo Orsolini pulled one back for Bologna in the second half.
AC Milan have beaten last-placed Monza 2-0 in their final match of the Serie A season amid widespread protests.
Matteo Gabbia scored with a second-half header at the San Siro then Joao Felix converted a free kick as Milan moved up to seventh place on Saturday.
Earlier, thousands of fans protested outside the club headquarters over Milan failing to qualify for Europe and losing to Bologna in the Italian Cup final.
There were more protests inside the San Siro.
Fans on the upper level at one end positioned themselves to form the words, "Go home." Then they walked out during the early stages of the first half.
There were also chants aimed at Milan's American owner Gerry Cardinale.
"Cardinale, you have to sell. Get out," the fans said.
Milan began the season as potential title contenders but ended up 19 points behind champions Napoli.
The seven-time European champions were eliminated by Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs in February.
Meanwhile, city rivals Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday.
Genoa won at Bologna 3-1 with two goals from 18-year-old Lorenzo Venturino.
The defeat still didn't prevent Bologna fans from celebrating another strong season, which included an Italian Cup trophy and a Europa League berth.
Bologna were left in ninth place while Genoa was 13th.
Vitinha put Genoa ahead early and Venturino made the most of his first start with two first-half goals, the first of which included some fancy dribbling past several defenders.
Riccardo Orsolini pulled one back for Bologna in the second half.
AC Milan have beaten last-placed Monza 2-0 in their final match of the Serie A season amid widespread protests.
Matteo Gabbia scored with a second-half header at the San Siro then Joao Felix converted a free kick as Milan moved up to seventh place on Saturday.
Earlier, thousands of fans protested outside the club headquarters over Milan failing to qualify for Europe and losing to Bologna in the Italian Cup final.
There were more protests inside the San Siro.
Fans on the upper level at one end positioned themselves to form the words, "Go home." Then they walked out during the early stages of the first half.
There were also chants aimed at Milan's American owner Gerry Cardinale.
"Cardinale, you have to sell. Get out," the fans said.
Milan began the season as potential title contenders but ended up 19 points behind champions Napoli.
The seven-time European champions were eliminated by Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs in February.
Meanwhile, city rivals Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday.
Genoa won at Bologna 3-1 with two goals from 18-year-old Lorenzo Venturino.
The defeat still didn't prevent Bologna fans from celebrating another strong season, which included an Italian Cup trophy and a Europa League berth.
Bologna were left in ninth place while Genoa was 13th.
Vitinha put Genoa ahead early and Venturino made the most of his first start with two first-half goals, the first of which included some fancy dribbling past several defenders.
Riccardo Orsolini pulled one back for Bologna in the second half.
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Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I can smell success': Montemurro aims for Asian Cup glory with Matildas
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Boxing great's advice in 'threat' Opetaia's title chase
Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to." Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to." Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to."
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie pipped in playoff by cigar-smoking Spaniard
Miguel Angel Jimenez has won at Wakonda Club for his third PGA Tour Champions victory of the year, beating Australia's Cameron Percy and Soren Kjeldsen with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff. Denmark's Kjeldsen finished with a 63, and Percy shot 67 to match Jimenez at 17-under 199. American Kevin Sutherland was a stroke back after a 68. Jimenez closed with a birdie on the 311-yard, par-4 18th for a two-under 70, then made a four-footer for another birdie on the extra hole. The 61-year-old Spanish star led wire-to-wire, opening with rounds of 63 and 66. Jimenez has 16 career PGA Tour Champions victories since he joined in 2014, also winning in February in Morocco and in March in Newport Beach, California. "It was hard," Jimenez said. "People (were) playing very well, as you can see." Jimenez started the final round with a two-shot lead over Victorian Percy. Kjeldsen was lodged seven shots back, but the 50-year-old making his second Champions Tour start fired a bogey-free final round to take the clubhouse lead. Kjeldsen owned a one-shot edge when Jimenez and Percy reached the 18th, a drivable par-4. Jimenez and Percy lined their tee shots to the front of the green, then two-putted for birdie and a three-way playoff. The trio returned to the 18th, but only the Spaniard produced a solid tee shot. While Jimenez drove just short of the green to the right - setting up a good angle to the pin - Kjeldsen sliced his off the cart path to the No.1 tee box on the right and the 51-year-old Percy yanked his underneath a scoreboard to the left. Kjeldsen and Percy scrambled to earn pars, but Jimenez calmly chipped within three feet and drained a straightforward birdie putt. Jimenez's $US300,000 ($A466,500) payday increased his 2025 earnings to $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million) and he celebrated by pulling a cigar out of his bag just off the 18th green. "The cigar tastes amazing," Jimenez said. At least one runner-up, meanwhile, didn't walk away with a bad taste in his mouth. "I played great today, so no regrets," Kjeldsen said. "Miguel is a great champion." With Reuters. Miguel Angel Jimenez has won at Wakonda Club for his third PGA Tour Champions victory of the year, beating Australia's Cameron Percy and Soren Kjeldsen with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff. Denmark's Kjeldsen finished with a 63, and Percy shot 67 to match Jimenez at 17-under 199. American Kevin Sutherland was a stroke back after a 68. Jimenez closed with a birdie on the 311-yard, par-4 18th for a two-under 70, then made a four-footer for another birdie on the extra hole. The 61-year-old Spanish star led wire-to-wire, opening with rounds of 63 and 66. Jimenez has 16 career PGA Tour Champions victories since he joined in 2014, also winning in February in Morocco and in March in Newport Beach, California. "It was hard," Jimenez said. "People (were) playing very well, as you can see." Jimenez started the final round with a two-shot lead over Victorian Percy. Kjeldsen was lodged seven shots back, but the 50-year-old making his second Champions Tour start fired a bogey-free final round to take the clubhouse lead. Kjeldsen owned a one-shot edge when Jimenez and Percy reached the 18th, a drivable par-4. Jimenez and Percy lined their tee shots to the front of the green, then two-putted for birdie and a three-way playoff. The trio returned to the 18th, but only the Spaniard produced a solid tee shot. While Jimenez drove just short of the green to the right - setting up a good angle to the pin - Kjeldsen sliced his off the cart path to the No.1 tee box on the right and the 51-year-old Percy yanked his underneath a scoreboard to the left. Kjeldsen and Percy scrambled to earn pars, but Jimenez calmly chipped within three feet and drained a straightforward birdie putt. Jimenez's $US300,000 ($A466,500) payday increased his 2025 earnings to $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million) and he celebrated by pulling a cigar out of his bag just off the 18th green. "The cigar tastes amazing," Jimenez said. At least one runner-up, meanwhile, didn't walk away with a bad taste in his mouth. "I played great today, so no regrets," Kjeldsen said. "Miguel is a great champion." With Reuters. Miguel Angel Jimenez has won at Wakonda Club for his third PGA Tour Champions victory of the year, beating Australia's Cameron Percy and Soren Kjeldsen with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff. Denmark's Kjeldsen finished with a 63, and Percy shot 67 to match Jimenez at 17-under 199. American Kevin Sutherland was a stroke back after a 68. Jimenez closed with a birdie on the 311-yard, par-4 18th for a two-under 70, then made a four-footer for another birdie on the extra hole. The 61-year-old Spanish star led wire-to-wire, opening with rounds of 63 and 66. Jimenez has 16 career PGA Tour Champions victories since he joined in 2014, also winning in February in Morocco and in March in Newport Beach, California. "It was hard," Jimenez said. "People (were) playing very well, as you can see." Jimenez started the final round with a two-shot lead over Victorian Percy. Kjeldsen was lodged seven shots back, but the 50-year-old making his second Champions Tour start fired a bogey-free final round to take the clubhouse lead. Kjeldsen owned a one-shot edge when Jimenez and Percy reached the 18th, a drivable par-4. Jimenez and Percy lined their tee shots to the front of the green, then two-putted for birdie and a three-way playoff. The trio returned to the 18th, but only the Spaniard produced a solid tee shot. While Jimenez drove just short of the green to the right - setting up a good angle to the pin - Kjeldsen sliced his off the cart path to the No.1 tee box on the right and the 51-year-old Percy yanked his underneath a scoreboard to the left. Kjeldsen and Percy scrambled to earn pars, but Jimenez calmly chipped within three feet and drained a straightforward birdie putt. Jimenez's $US300,000 ($A466,500) payday increased his 2025 earnings to $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million) and he celebrated by pulling a cigar out of his bag just off the 18th green. "The cigar tastes amazing," Jimenez said. At least one runner-up, meanwhile, didn't walk away with a bad taste in his mouth. "I played great today, so no regrets," Kjeldsen said. "Miguel is a great champion." With Reuters. Miguel Angel Jimenez has won at Wakonda Club for his third PGA Tour Champions victory of the year, beating Australia's Cameron Percy and Soren Kjeldsen with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff. Denmark's Kjeldsen finished with a 63, and Percy shot 67 to match Jimenez at 17-under 199. American Kevin Sutherland was a stroke back after a 68. Jimenez closed with a birdie on the 311-yard, par-4 18th for a two-under 70, then made a four-footer for another birdie on the extra hole. The 61-year-old Spanish star led wire-to-wire, opening with rounds of 63 and 66. Jimenez has 16 career PGA Tour Champions victories since he joined in 2014, also winning in February in Morocco and in March in Newport Beach, California. "It was hard," Jimenez said. "People (were) playing very well, as you can see." Jimenez started the final round with a two-shot lead over Victorian Percy. Kjeldsen was lodged seven shots back, but the 50-year-old making his second Champions Tour start fired a bogey-free final round to take the clubhouse lead. Kjeldsen owned a one-shot edge when Jimenez and Percy reached the 18th, a drivable par-4. Jimenez and Percy lined their tee shots to the front of the green, then two-putted for birdie and a three-way playoff. The trio returned to the 18th, but only the Spaniard produced a solid tee shot. While Jimenez drove just short of the green to the right - setting up a good angle to the pin - Kjeldsen sliced his off the cart path to the No.1 tee box on the right and the 51-year-old Percy yanked his underneath a scoreboard to the left. Kjeldsen and Percy scrambled to earn pars, but Jimenez calmly chipped within three feet and drained a straightforward birdie putt. Jimenez's $US300,000 ($A466,500) payday increased his 2025 earnings to $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million) and he celebrated by pulling a cigar out of his bag just off the 18th green. "The cigar tastes amazing," Jimenez said. At least one runner-up, meanwhile, didn't walk away with a bad taste in his mouth. "I played great today, so no regrets," Kjeldsen said. "Miguel is a great champion." With Reuters.
