Serie A postpones games after Pope Francis dies at 88
Monday's Serie A fixtures have been postponed following the death of Pope Francis, the Italian league announced.
Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and a lifelong football fan has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday. He was 88.
"Following the passing of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A can confirm that today's league games in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed," the league said in a statement.
Torino were set to host Udinese, Cagliari were due to face off against Fiorentina, while Lazio -- fresh from their Europa League quarterfinal disappointment in midweek -- were meant to travel to Genoa, and Parma were scheduled to play Juventus.
The fixtures have been rescheduled for Wednesday, with the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg between Inter Milan and AC Milan kicking off as originally scheduled.
A minute's silence will be observed before all sports events this week, the Italian Olympic Committee said.
Serie A's reigning champions and current league leaders Inter Milan paid tribute to Francis in a post on X that described him as "a man of faith, humility and dialogue who was able to speak to everyone's heart."
Roma described Francis' death as "a loss that deeply saddens our city and the entire world," in a post.
"His faith, his humility, his courage and his dedication have touched the hearts of millions of people, making him a moral reference of our time."
From meetings with Diego Maradona to the passion for his beloved Buenos Aires club, San Lorenzo, the Argentine pontiff was an avid football fan. And a promoter of sports in general.
Francis' passion for football became known almost immediately after he was elected pope in 2013 when Argentine club San Lorenzo posted a photo of him holding up the club's crest.
San Lorenzo, one of the oldest teams in the Argentine Football Association, performed well after Francis was elected as the 266th pope in March 2013. The team won the title in 2013 and then claimed the Copa Libertadores for the first time a year later.
Club officials traveled twice to the Vatican carrying trophies to thank Francis for his support. A planned new San Lorenzo stadium is set to be named after him.
Francis met fellow Argentine Maradona twice as pope. There was a special audience in connection with a charity football match in 2014 when Maradona presented the pontiff with a football shirt, emblazoned with the name "Francisco" -- Spanish for Francis -- and Maradona's iconic No. 10.
"I think we all now realize he's a [star]," Maradona said after another meeting in 2015. "I'm Francis' top fan."
When Maradona died in 2020, Francis remembered the football legend in his prayers.
"Francis was a special Pope, able to illuminate in his time like only the greatest can," former Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon said in a post on Instagram. "He showed us the way with great courage and moved our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was "deeply saddened" over the pope's death.
"I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society," Infantino said on Instagram. "All the prayers of the whole football world are with him."
The Argentina football federation announced that all of Monday's matches at all levels would be postponed "as a sign of mourning."
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk on Trent Alexander-Arnold: 'Deserves applause'
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged fans to show Trent Alexander-Arnold some appreciation after he scored the winner in Sunday's 1-0 win over Leicester City.
Alexander-Arnold marked his return from an ankle injury with another memorable moment, coming off the bench on 70 minutes before finding the back of the net with a superb half-volley.
The Liverpool defender had been criticised by large parts of Liverpool's fan base in recent weeks amid fresh reports that he could leave on a free transfer this summer and sign for Real Madrid.
ESPN reported earlier this month that Madrid are "optimistic" over securing his signature although a deal had not been reached.
Van Dijk noted there had been debate outside of the club about how Alexander-Arnold should be treated, but he said moments like Sunday should not be taken for granted.
"Whatever may happen in the future for him, that's something that he has to resolve with himself and the family, but he's a Liverpool player at this point and he's important for our team.
"He has been important throughout the whole season and today again he came back from the injury, a long one, and that's what I'm happy about... Since I joined the club, he has been a fantastic player and there's a lot of good things that he will always be remembered for if he decides to leave.
"Listen, at this point we don't know as a group what's going to happen... There's a lot of noise around him and obviously everyone can argue if it's his own fault, it's just part of life nowadays.
"When he scores a big goal like that, I think he deserves applause for stepping up in that particular moment and to soak it all in because whether he stays or leaves, these are moments which you shouldn't take for granted to give us as a team the opportunity on Sunday to finish it off.
"I think he deserved that moment and now it's back to work and be ready for the weekend."
Alexander-Arnold was asked after the game about his future, although he said he would not talk about it.
"I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details," he told Sky Sports after the match.
The goal helped Liverpool take another step towards winning the Premier League for a second time -- and 20th English top flight title -- with Alexander-Arnold being a crucial part of both those campaigns since he graduated from the club's academy in 2016.
The earliest that Liverpool can be crowned champions is Wendesday, although it would require Arsenal to lose at home against Crystal Palace.
Should Arsenal pick up a point, Liverpool can clinch the title when they host Tottenham on Sunday.
"It doesn't really matter to me [when Liverpool win the title. I want to be champions of England and let the dream come true. I would love to lift the cup with the club I love so much," Van Dijk said.
"If it doesn't happen on Wednesday then we have the opportunity to do it on Sunday in front of our own fans at a red Anfield.
"It will be special, that is for sure. But let's see what this week brings. As a Liverpool fan, I think you have to be excited and be up for it. [Spurs] is a big game regardless, and it will be interesting games after that as well."
Man City vs Aston Villa: Pep Guardiola talks up crucial clash
Pep Guardiola has branded Manchester City's clash with Aston Villa as "a final" in the race for the Champions League and called on the club's fans to help them against Unai Emery's side.
City and Villa meet at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday with just a point separating the two teams.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are also fighting for a place in next season's Champions League and Guardiola has asked the City supporters to back them during what could be a dramatic end to the campaign.
"We we need our people, hopefully they can help us for the minute one," Guardiola said.
"Don't wait, because sometimes we're sloppy, sometimes we're not playing well, but it's now that we need them.
"We need them desperately, to support us, to make noise and be there all the time, because it's a final, absolutely it's a final for us. And after Aston Villa, it will be the game against Wolves and it will be a final again. Then Southampton, because every point, every game, counts."
Villa bounced back from the Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain with an impressive 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Emery's team have won 11 of their last
posted by US Headline Now @ April 21, 2025
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