Mario Ferri, the Italian football fanatic known for his pitch invasions in his country wearing a shirt calling for former Italy coach Marcello Lippi to call Antonio Cassano for the World Cup in 2010, has done it again.
On Saturday, Falco, as Ferri is known, ran onto the pitch during the Champions League final at Wembley and wrapped a Milan scarf around Lionel Messi’s neck.
Ferri, who always dons a Superman outfit, had also interrupted the Club World Cup final between Inter and Mazembe last year, when he ran across the pitch in Abu Dhabi.
On Saturday, he was appre-hended by security personnel and dragged away.
Bale hails Redknapp stability
Gareth Bale has lauded the stabilising effect that Harry Redknapp has brought to Tottenham as speculation continued linking the Spurs boss with a move to Chelsea.
Bookmakers slashed the odds on Redknapp taking the hot seat at Stamford Bridge after a surge of three-figure bets were placed on Tottenham manager last week.
Bale says Redknapp has been key to his club’s progression.
“I want him to stay, definitely,” Bale said.
“Since I’ve been at the club we’ve had three managers and it’s obviously nice to have him there because he has brought stability.
“Nobody wants him to go.”
Vieira keen on Man. City stay
Patrick Vieira is hoping to stay at Manchester City for what could be the final season of his career next year. Vieira, 34, signed for City 18 months ago as a back-up option in midfield, but he managed 34 appearances this season.
Along the way he scored five goals, three of them in the FA Cup where City went on to end their 35-year wait for a trophy with a 1-0 win over Stoke in the final.
It was expected he would leave the club this year, but Vieira hopes that is not the case.
“It’s really nice because although I don’t play that much, I’ve felt a real connection with the fans,” he said.
“Now, I really want to stay here because I’ve loved my time with City.”
League approve Kroenke stake
Stan Kroenke’s controlling interest in Arsenal has been officially ratified by the English Premier League and the American has given other shareholders a fortnight to accept his unconditional offer for their holdings.
Kroenke currently owns 66.06% of the Gunners. With the Premier League approving the club’s change of ownership, Kroenke is now giving the club’s remaining shareholders 14 days notice on his unconditional offer to own 100% of the club.
Arsenal’s second largest shareholder with 27.37%, Alisher Usmanov, has already insisted he will not sell to Kroenke, as have the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, who own some of the remaining shares.
Delneri turns down Atalanta offer
Gigi Delneri has reportedly turned down an offer to coach his former team Atalanta next season and may opt for a year-long sabbatical after parting ways with Juventus.
Delneri was sacked by the Bianconeri after failing to lead the team to a place in Europe next season and is likely to be replaced by Antonio Conte this week.
Despite winning promotion, Atalanta are said to be prepared to sack Stefano Colantuono for a more experienced coach.
Gazzetta dello Sport said Delneri rejected an offer to return to Bergamo, having already led the club from 2007 to 2009.
Newspaper alleges Qatar vote plot
London’s The Sunday Times said it had seen fresh evidence showing how Qatar plotted to get round FIFA rules in its successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
The broadsheet alleged that the Qataris offered voters cash for projects in their effort to land the tournament.
It said it had seen a whistleblower’s evidence alleging that Qatar considered setting up certain “initiatives” regardless of whether they were allowed under FIFA rules.
The newspaper cites a January 4, 2010 minute from the Qatari bid team meeting on plans to announce up to three “CSR” (corporate social responsibility) initiatives during last year’s World Cup finals.
Police detain 84 during Barca party
Police detained 84 people during overnight celebrations in Barcelona to celebrate the Catalan side’s Champions League win. They were arrested for throwing objects, damaging bus shelters and other street furniture, public disorder or attacking police.
Around 130 people were injured during the all-night celebrations, most of them lightly, a local emergency services spokeswoman said.
Thirty-seven police were among the injured.
Some 50,000 people packed Barcelona’s central streets following the Catalans’ 3-1 win over Manchester United late Saturday.
They erupted into cheers, launched fireworks and brandished imitation trophies the minute David Villa banged the ball into the net for Barca’s third goal.