Blackmail allegations spur arrest of Juventus supporters
Police on Monday arrested 10 chiefs of hardline Juventus supporters clubs on suspicion of blackmailing the Serie A champions to obtain free tickets to sell on the black market in the latest blow to the image of Italian soccer.
The 10 ringleaders of the “ultras” groups of organized fans, notorious for violence and racism, are among 37 accused of threatening to cause riots and chant racist abuse unless the club gave them free tickets to be re-sold.
The arrests came after a yearlong probe by the Turin police special investigations unit Digos, which was prompted by a complaint from Juventus that the club was being blackmailed by its fans.
Italian soccer has been marred for years by criminal investigations, fan violence and racism.
Juventus is Italy’s most successful club.
It has won the Serie A title for the last eight seasons and lifted the domestic cup a record 13 times.
U.S. President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to record-setting reliever Mariano Rivera on Monday.
The longtime New York Yankees closer received the nation’s highest civilian honour two months after he entered Cooperstown as the first unanimously elected hall of famer.
“He is the most dominant relief pitcher in the history of baseball, and more than that, he has lived the American dream and shines as an example of American greatness for all to see,” Trump said.
Rivera, 49, racked up a record 652 saves over 19 seasons with the Yankees (1995-2013). He made 13 all-star teams and won five World Series championships in the Bronx.
Born in Panama, Rivera became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2015. He serves as co-chairman of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, and has served on the Opioid Drug Abuse Commission.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee sustained a chest injury during Sunday’s game that resulted in his coughing up blood in a hospital, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Higbee was injured in the Rams’ 27-9 victory over New Orleans and initially was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons.
The 26-year-old Higbee’s reaction at the hospital came after he was examined by doctors.
The Orlando Magic announced Monday that centre Mo Bamba, guard Markelle Fultz and forward Jonathan Isaac have been signed through the 2020-21 season.
A third-year team option on Bamba and fourth-year team options on Fultz and Isaac were exercised, according to Jeff Weltman, president of basketball operations. Terms were not disclosed.
Bamba, 21, played in 47 games (one start) as a rookie last season with Orlando, averaging 6.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes a game.
Fultz, 21, began last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, playing in 19 games (15 starts) and averaging 8.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in 22.5 minutes a game. He did not appear in a game for the Magic, who acquired the former No. 1 overall pick in a February trade for Jonathon Simmons and future draft picks. Reuters