England star raided at gunpoint in home
Smalling targeted by crime gang at Italian family villa
ENGLAND footballer Chris Smalling was robbed at gunpoint after thieves broke into his 700year-old villa in Italy yesterday.
It is believed the ex-Man United defender, his wife Sam and their son Leo, two, were asleep when three men burst in through a bedroom window.
The masked raiders ordered Smalling, who plays for Roma, to open his safe before taking luxury watches including a Rolex, and jewellery.
Sam, 35, a former glamour model, alerted police, who raced to the gated home, 25 miles south of Rome. They arrived shortly before 5am. It is believed the gang had removed a security grill from a window before climbing inside the property.
Roma have offered support to the player, who joined the club in 2019.
VICTIM
Former Old Trafford team-mate Marcus Rashford tweeted: “Thinking about you @ChrisSmalling and your lovely family. So sorry to wake up to the news... can’t imagine how you’re feeling but I hope you’re ok.” Smalling is the latest victim of Italian gangs who target footballers. In January, the home of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie was burgled while he was playing a game. In December last year, the home of 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi was raided during his funeral. Roma boss Paulo Fonseca and Fiorentina star Franck Ribery were also targeted by thieves last year. London-born Smalling, 31, who won the last of his 31 England caps in 2017, has previously told of his “beautiful” home in the Appia Antica district.
He is out injured at the moment but Roma and United will face each other in the semi-finals of the Europa League this month. Alex Bomberg, whose Intelligent Protection firm guards footballers, said the case underlined the need for improved security.
He said: “Sadly, these types of incidents will continue until clubs drive change in the area of personal security. “We are not talking about opportune thieves, we are talking organised crime.”