Juventus and Lazio players and officials lined up to meet the Pope on Tuesday morning ahead of their highly-anticipated Italian Cup final, which will take place at the Stadio Olimpico.
Juventus chief Giuseppe Marotta could be seen handing over a black and white striped shirt to the Pope. But there was no favouritism from the holy father as he also accepted a Lazio jersey. They were not the only gifts that Francis received as he also accepted a replica of the Coppa Italia from Italian FA president Carlo Tavecchio.
The Pope also addressed players from both sides, saying: ‘Taking into account the attraction professional football has on people — especially young people — you have a great responsibility.
‘You are considered ‘champions’ and, therefore, become figures of reference.
‘Every match is a battle of balance, understanding of oneself and respect of the rules.
‘He who, with the correct behaviour, can show all he’s worth can become a true example to his fans. This is what I wish for you all: to be examples of loyalty and honesty, harmony and humanity.’
Last night Manchester sealed their top four fate with a win over West Brom at the Ethihad but the occasion will be remembered for the send off afforded to Zabaleta after nine years with the blue side of Manchester.
After full time, Zabaleta cries. Credit: Getty Images
Zabaleta joined from Espanyol in 2008 and went on to become a fan favourite and a constant figure down the right hand side of City’s defense.
With Manchester City, Zabaleta has won all of English football’s major honours: the FA Cup (2011), the Premier League (2012 and 2014), and the Football League Cup (2014 and 2016)
Zabaleta could not stop himself from crying while addressing the City supporters for almost 10 minutes inside the Etihad’s centre circle shortly after full-time.
He claimed his favourite moment at City was beating Manchester United in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final, an answer to draw huge cheers.
‘Today is probably the hardest moment but it is so special,’ he said. ‘It’s been a wonderful nine years. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions.
‘I think it’s the right time for me to move on but I love so much this club. It was so tough to play that half an hour, so many emotional moments everyone was passing the ball.’
The 32-year-old – gifted a lifetime season ticket as well as a framed shirt on his 333rd appearance – told his team-mates what is now expected of them.
‘I know the good memories that come to my mind but I am so proud of what I have done for the club,’ Zabaleta added.
‘It’s just what every single player should do if they play… on and off the pitch always showing commitment and loyalty to the club.
‘I was so proud to have been part of the most successful period of City’s history, so thank you so much.’
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Two-time champion at the Roland Garros, Maria Sharapova will not compete at the French Open later this month after being denied a wildcard by the French Tennis Federation, but WTA chief executive Steve Simon condemned the reasoning for her snub.
Sharapova was informed that her request for entry into the forthcoming grand slam following her recent return from a drugs ban had been rejected on Tuesday. She has competed at three events since returning to competitive tennis following her 15-month suspension for testing positive for meldonium, a sanction that was reduced from two years by the Court for Arbitration of Sport (CAS).
FFT president Bernard Giudicelli hinted that the rejection was due to her recent ban and she was not able to acquire enough ranking points to secure an automatic place in qualifying for the tournament in Paris.
However, she was not able to acquire enough ranking points to secure an automatic place in qualifying for the tournament in Paris, with FFT president Bernard Giudicelli hinting that the rejection was due to her recent ban.
However, WTA chief Simon insists the FFT are not in a position to hand Sharapova further punishment.
He said in a statement: ‘Wildcards are offered at tournaments’ sole discretion. I fully support the players that received wildcards and wish them the very best of luck. It’s going to be a very exciting fortnight at Roland Garros.
‘What I do not agree with is the basis put forward by the FFT for their decision with respect to Maria Sharapova. She has complied with the sanction imposed by CAS.
‘The tennis anti-doping program is a uniform effort supported by the Grand Slams, WTA, ITF and ATP.
‘There are no grounds for any member of the TADP to penalise any player beyond the sanctions set forth in the final decisions resolving these matters.’
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Micheal Keane, who has continued to live in Manchester and is a boyhood United fan, can expect to quadruple his £25,000-a-week wages if he returns to a club that he first joined at the age of 11.
Michael Keane with the FA youth cup in 2011
The defender was first allowed to go to Burnley on loan before Louis van Gaal sanctioned a permanent move to Turf Moor.
Keane has however developed into one of the Premier League’s most highly-rated defenders since leaving United to join Burnley for £2m in January 2015.
And reports indicates Manchester United are set to re-sign Michael Keane from Burnley in a £25million deal this summer.
It’s understood that United have emerged as clear favourites to take the 24-year-old England centre-back back to Old Trafford.
United included a clause in the deal entitling them to 25 per cent of any sell-on fee, so they will have to pay less for Keane than any of their rivals.
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Pogba’s dad Fassou Antoine died on Friday and the France international, who already missed Sunday’s match at Tottenham, is on compassionate leave and expected to be absent for the match at St Mary’s on Wednesday as he returns to his home country to pay his respects.
United boss Jose Mourinho said: ‘I don’t think (he will be available). I think that his dad’s funeral has to be between Tuesday and Wednesday in France.
‘I don’t think that Paul has the conditions to play. We have left him completely free to be back when he thinks he’s ready.’
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Last night the gunners beat already relegated 2-0 at the Emirates to keep their top four hopes up hoping Liverpool might lose points on match day 38 as Manchester City also sealed their top four fate with a convincing 3-1 victory over Tony Pulis West Brom.
Despite the fine form of the Gunners in recent weeks, fans have not stopped protesting against manager, Wenger. Last weekend at stoke despite the gunners cruising to a 4-1 victory a plane still went over the Bet365 stadium with a ‘Wenger Out’ banner and last night was no different as a faction of the fans boycotted the game leaving empty seats in protest to the state of affairs in the Club and the constant under performance of the gunners under the frenchman.
Credit: Getty Images
Just before kick-off there looked to be around 40,000 in the stadium.
Ten minutes into the game around 5,000 more took their seats – still not a good look in a stadium that has a capacity of over 60,000. The Gunners later said that there were 59,510 ‘tickets sold’ for the match.
This was never the vision for this masterpiece of a stadium. It deserves so much better than nights like this.
Empty seats even as the game went on. Credit: Getty Images