Latest news with #FIGC
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Brescia relegated to Serie C after points deduction, Sampdoria to contest play-out
Brescia relegated to Serie C after points deduction, Sampdoria to contest play-out Italian side Brescia have been relegated to Serie C after they were docked eight points by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday for a series of financial violations, meaning Sampdoria will contest a play-out to stay in the division. Brescia, who finished their Serie B campaign 15th and had avoided the relegation play-out thanks to head-to-head goal difference over 16th Frosinone, were deducted four points in the current season which dropped them to the third tier. They will serve another four-point deduction in the 2025-26 season. The club's president Massimo Cellino, formerly in charge of Leeds United, and managing director Edoardo Cellino were handed six-month bans by a FIGC tribunal. The bottom three teams in Serie B automatically drop to the third tier, while the teams finishing 16th and 17th contest a play-out to stay up. Brescia's relegation means that Frosinone earned Serie B safety, while Salernitana will face Sampdoria instead in the decider. The ruling is subject to appeal, a verdict of which is expected on June 12, Italian news agency ANSA reported. The play-out first leg is expected to be played on June 15, local media said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Brescia relegated to Serie C after points deduction, Sampdoria to contest play-out
May 29 (Reuters) - Italian side Brescia have been relegated to Serie C after they were docked eight points by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday for a series of financial violations, meaning Sampdoria will contest a play-out to stay in the division. Brescia, who finished their Serie B campaign 15th and had avoided the relegation play-out thanks to head-to-head goal difference over 16th Frosinone, were deducted four points in the current season which dropped them to the third tier. They will serve another four-point deduction in the 2025-26 season. The club's president Massimo Cellino, formerly in charge of Leeds United, and managing director Edoardo Cellino were handed six-month bans by a FIGC tribunal. The bottom three teams in Serie B automatically drop to the third tier, while the teams finishing 16th and 17th contest a play-out to stay up. Brescia's relegation means that Frosinone earned Serie B safety, while Salernitana will face Sampdoria instead in the decider. The ruling is subject to appeal, a verdict of which is expected on June 12, Italian news agency ANSA reported. The play-out first leg is expected to be played on June 15, local media said.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Rugged Francesco Acerbi the symbol of Inter Milan's bid to make history
MILAN – Francesco Acerbi could crown his long, turbulent career with the biggest prize in club football after bouncing back from cancer, depression and alcoholism to play a key part in Inter Milan's charge to the Champions League final. The Italy international's stoppage-time equaliser was probably the defining moment in Inter's barely believable semi-final, second-leg triumph over Barcelona, as the oldest player in an old team. A 37-year-old centre-back, Acerbi had to be the most surprising scorer in a tie for the ages, finding himself in the opposition penalty area to smash in his first Champions League goal just as the game looked up for Inter. Everything about his goal embodied the fighting spirit Inter have shown in their two classic clashes with Barca (4-3 win and 3-3 draw) and, in the previous round, Bayern Munich. 'It was a really special moment. I could feel that something changed when the ball hit the net,' said Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. 'It was the moment that we realised that we could win the match.' Despite his age, Acerbi is Simone Inzaghi's first choice in the heart of Inter's three-man central defence and will start against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich on May 31. Acerbi has come through some tough times both on the field and off it, battling depression following the death of his father while he was briefly at AC Milan over a decade ago, and then two bouts of testicular cancer which he believes were the catalyst for him to turn his life around. 'After my dad died I crashed and hit rock bottom. I was at Milan and nothing stimulated me. I didn't even know how to play anymore,' he said in 2019. 'I started drinking, I drank everything. Cancer saved me. I had something to fight against again, something to overcome. I saw things clearly and I know that from one day to the next, everything could change. 'I'd even say that the disease improved me... I stopped dreaming, I prefer now to set achievable goals.' Acerbi has been rewarded for his memorable season by a recall to the Italy set-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova, a first call-up since March 2024. But he was forced to leave his last Azzurri training camp after allegations that he racially abused Juan Jesus during a highly-charged match between Inter and Napoli. Acerbi was spared punishment by the Italian football federation (FIGC) due a lack of evidence. Napoli were so outraged at the decision that they pulled out of the FIGC's 'purely cosmetic' anti-racism initiatives, while Jesus felt 'bitter' about the decision which saved Acerbi from a 10-match ban that would have ended his season right before Euro 2024. Acerbi ended up missing the Euros with injury, and hamstring problems dogged him during the first half of this season, but he has come roaring back and could yet lead Inter to an era-defining triumph. A Champions League winner's medal would be sweet redemption. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zaniolo under investigation after Roma youth team fight accusations
The FIGC prosecutors office has launched a formal investigation into the alleged events that took place after a Primavera match between Fiorentina and Roma, involving former Italy international and Viola first-team player Nicolo Zaniolo. Roma published a statement on Monday evening, accusing Zaniolo of entering their team's dressing room and having 'physically struck' two of their players after the Primavera Scudetto play-off semi-final that took place at Viola Park earlier in the day. Advertisement 'According to initial reconstructions, the player allegedly entered the Primavera team's dressing room after the match and engaged in provocative behavior towards some of the Giallorossi youth players. During the confrontation, two players from the Primavera squad were reportedly physically struck,' Roma's statement read. epa11753858 Nicolo Zaniolo of Atalanta (C) scores the 0-2 goal during the Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC, in Rome, Italy, 02 December 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO Fiorentina have also released a statement with Zaniolo's version of events, reading: 'At the end of the match, I went into the locker room to congratulate the Fiorentina lads, then passed through the Roma room to salute and compliment them on their season. 'However, at a certain point they started to insult me, so at that stage, to avoid the situation degenerating, I preferred to simply leave.' Zaniolo under investigation FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Nicolo' Zaniolo of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Lecce at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 28, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by) According to reports from multiple outlets, including Sky Sport Italia, the FIGC prosecutors office has already opened an investigation into the events that took place at Viola Park on Monday evening. Advertisement Zaniolo, who spent five years with the Giallorossi himself, could potentially even be heard by Giuseppe Chine as early as Tuesday afternoon according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. Tuesday's report claims that if Zaniolo is found to have hit two youth team players as Roma have alleged, then a 'heavy' punishment would be 'inevitable'.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official: Del Piero becomes coach after completing courses
Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has officially completed his coaching courses, so, as he says, you can already call him 'Mister'… Former Juventus and Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero has completed coaching courses to become a qualified UEFA coach. Advertisement The ex-striker announced his new career achievement on Instagram. 'From today, you can also call me Mister,' Del Piero wrote. 'Mister' is a typical Italian expression used to address football coaches. 'Thanks to the FIGC and all the instructors who guided me through this course. I'm grateful to everyone who collaborated and shared this crucial educational journey with me,' Del Piero continued. MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 05: Alessandro Del Piero looks on alongside The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Draw at Telemundo Studios on December 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) 'A special thank you to my children and my wife for the support they gave me during these years of study and the beautiful surprises they gave me today in Florence by showing up for the presentation of my thesis, which encapsulates an integral part of my professional and personal experiences as well as may vision of football and the role of the coach.' Advertisement Del Piero is currently working as a Serie A and Champions League pundit for Sky Sport Italia and CBS Sports. He's the Juventus player with the most goals and appearances in a Bianconeri shirt and won the 2006 World Cup with the Italy national team. His personal trophy cabinet also includes six Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, four Supercoppa Italiana and one Champions League. Del Piero practically spent his entire playing career at Juventus, except for two seasons in Serie B at Padova from 1991 to 1993, two at Sydney FC (2012 to 2014), and one at Delhi Dynamos. He's the fourth-best scorer for the Italy national team with 27 goals in 91 games.
