Roma deny Inter a double as Soros seeks capital takeover

Gordon Tynan
Monday 26 May 2008 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Roma's Italian Cup final victory may be the Sensi family's last triumph as owners amid renewed speculation that the billionaire financier George Soros is close to buying the Italian club.

A 2-1 win over Internazionale on Saturday brought a modicum of revenge for Roma, who were beaten to the Serie A title by Inter on the last day of the season the previous weekend. Now their 81-year-old president, Franco Sensi, and his daughter Rosella, the club's chief executive, are mulling whether to sell and bring in fresh investment.

"It is a victory for the president. Now is the moment to party," Rosella said when asked after the match about a possible sale. Media reports say she is the most reluctant of the family to sell, having previously seen off other interested parties.

Representatives of 77-year-old Soros, from his global sports investment arm Inner Circle Sports, have held discussions with Italpetroli, the majority shareholder of Roma controlled by the Sensis.

Elsewhere in Italy, Chievo Verona won immediate promotion back to Serie A yesterday after drawing 1-1 at Grosseto. Relegated last year having been in the Champions League qualifiers at the start of that season, they are four points clear of third-placed Lecce with one game left.

In France, Lyons' 1-0 extra-time win over Paris St Germain in Saturday's French Cup final provided a fitting symbol for their season, the toughest in years but also their most successful.

PSG, who narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight, hit the woodwork twice and had a goal disallowed for offside before Sidney Govou struck on 102 minutes to secure Lyons their first League and Cup double.

"When you sum up our season you realise that, even when we suffer, we end up winning trophies," said the Lyons president, Jean-Michel Aulas. "Maybe PSG would have deserved to win the game but if you look at what we have achieved, this has been our best season."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in