Serie A contender Napoli has been deducted two points and fined $920,000 by the league’s National Disciplinary Committee, while team captain Paolo Cannavaro and vice-captainGianluca Grava have been suspended for six months for failing to report that former goalkeeper Mattia Gianello had approached them about fixing a game againstSampdoria in 2010. Gianello, who is currently […]
italy
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Danish Talent Eriksen Targets Europe's Big Leagues
Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is widely thought to be one of the brightest young midfield talents in the world, has stated that he is open to a move to England, Italy,Spain or Germany, but only at the right moment. “I think that my future lies in England, Germany, Italy or Spain,” the 20-year-old told […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Balotelli's Agent Compares Him to the Mona Lisa
Mario Balotelli’s agent compared the Manchester City striker to Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa on Thursday, saying that no Italian club could afford tobuy him, or pay his wages. After AC Milan President and former Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed his interest in signing the 22-year-old, Mino Raiola,his agent, quickly denied the link. “No […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
United, City Look on as Sneijder-Inter Talks Stall
Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder is still at an impasse with Inter Milan regarding his future at the club, which means a move to either Manchester United or ManchesterCity could be a possibility for the 29-year-old once the transfer window opens next month. On Monday, the Dutch playmaker told reporters “I don’t want to talk. Something […]
Posted inSoccer Business Insider, Story
NBC cites improved ratings for MLS coverage
By Ridge Mahoney and Paul Kennedy A menu of 41 games televised on NBC and NBC Sports Network during the 2012 MLS season showed growth in several demographic segments,including male viewers. The numbers are hardly sensational yet the network is touting them as significantly better than those on Fox Soccer Channel, which had signed a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Inter: Sneijder Must Accept a Pay Cut or Be Sold
Inter Milan director Marco Branca has confirmed that misfit playmaker Wesley Sneijder “will not play until we have made the necessary modifications to hiscontract”, meaning he either takes a cut to his $7.8 million salary, or he will be sold in the January transfer window. For several weeks now, the Dutchman has been saying he […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Inter President Launches Ref Tirade
Referees continue to make headlines in Italy for controversial decisions. On Sunday, Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni was sent to the stands for vehemently protesting refereePiero Giacomelli’s failure to award a penalty when Davide Astori brought Andrea Ranocchia down in the box. Though an irate Inter promisedafterwards not to speak to the press, President Massimo […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Di Vaio slays Fiorentina in tour finale
[MLS OFFSEASON: Montreal Impact] The Montreal Impact completed its tour of Italy with a 1-0 win over Fiorentina Thursday at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.Italian Marco Di Vaio scored the lone goal of the game, which came four days after Fiorentina had beaten AC Milan, 3-1, in Milan. Trialist Andrea Pisanu played a short pass […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Injured Rossi Could Join Inter in January
Reports in Italy claim that Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi, who has suffered two cruciate ligament injuries in the past 18 months and hasn’t played since October 2011, hasreached a deal to join Inter Milan. The report, from Panorama.it, claims Rossi could join Inter as soon as January, although his injury is likely to keep him […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Conte Breaks Silence in Chat with Juve Fans
Juventus coach Antonio Conte has broken his silence for the first time since he was banned for failing to report an attempt to fix a game while he was in charge of Siena. Conte,who is unable to sit on the touchline during Juve games until Dec. 9, hasn’t spoken to the media while he serves […]