‘I'm crazy… I'll beat the s*** out of you' – Heated moment furious Inter star Acerbi threatens to fight PSG fan
The Italian veteran, 37, is in Seattle with the Serie A giants for the Club World Cup.
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Francesco Acerbi got angry during a meet and greet in the US
Credit: X
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Bradley Barcola sent Acerbi to the ground during the Champions League final
During a fan meet and greet, Acerbi was cheekily reminded of the moment
Speaking via a translator, the centre-back was fuming with the supporter.
The translator sternly warned the fan: "You must be serious with him."
Acerbi then let rip in Italian, blasting: "I'm serious. Don't make fun of me - I don't like it… I'm crazy, I'll beat the s*** out of you."
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Inter are looking to bounce back quickly from their Champions League mauling as they compete in the Club World Cup.
The Italian giants are playing under new manager Cristian Chivu, with Simone Inzaghi having
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Inter drew their opener 1-1 vs Monterrey, with Acerbi playing the full 90 minutes.
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Acerbi was back in action in the Club World Cup earlier this week
Credit: Getty
The defender was playing in his first match since the Champions League final, having turned down an Italy call-up.
Acerbi missed games against Norway and Moldova, as he felt "disrespected" by boss Luciano Spalletti, who has since resigned.
The 34-cap star wrote on Instagram: "It's not a decision I have taken lightly. However, I believe that in light of recent events the conditions aren't there today for me to go forward with serenity.
"I demand respect. If that respect is lacking from those who should lead the group, I prefer to step aside.
"I won't stay where I'm no longer truly wanted and it's clear I'm not part of the coach's project."
Spalletti subsequently resigned following an awful 3-0 defeat in Norway, with Gennaro Gattuso taking over.
Inter return to action this evening, as they face Japanese side Urawa Reds in Seattle.
They will then conclude their group stage campaign by taking on
Club World Cup 2025 Guide
SOME of the world's biggest clubs are in action at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States!
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane are showcasing their skills to packed crowds across the US.
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The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
Why Jim McGuinness's impact in soccer was underrated
IT MAY not have been an unqualified success, but Jim McGuinness left a big impression on many of those he worked with in the world of soccer. After ending a four-year stint in charge of his native county's GAA footballers in 2014 that included a 2012 All-Ireland triumph, McGuinness decided to devote more of his time to another passion. His association with Celtic began when a mutual friend and renowned golf star, Paul McGinley, mentioned McGuinness to Dermot Desmond, the club's largest individual shareholder. After accompanying Desmond to a couple of Champions League games, McGuinness was offered a job. He was consequently appointed as performance consultant for the Scottish club on a part-time basis in 2012, balancing this role with his GAA duties. After the Donegal departure, he became a youth coach at Celtic in 2015, subsequently graduating to assistant manager of the club's U20 team. McGuinness continued to move up the ranks. In 2017, he was named assistant coach of Chinese Super League side Beijing Sinobo Guoan, working alongside Roger Schmidt, who has since gone on to manage PSV and Benfica. He left the role after just over six months, citing 'personal reasons' and a desire to work in Europe. But McGuinness's next job turned out to be Stateside, as he agreed to a three-year contract with Charlotte Independence, making ex-Athletic Bilbao manager Félix Sarriugarte his number two. However, the coach's only spell as a manager in soccer turned out to be a disappointment — he was dismissed after one win in 14 games in the 2019 USL Championship season. Had things worked out differently, McGuinness might also have had a crack at the League of Ireland. According to a 2021 RTÉ Sport report, he was offered a short-term coaching role with Dundalk after Shane Keegan and Filippo Giovagnoli's departures, but was not keen on the temporary stint. It was around this time that McGuinness began working as part of the backroom team for Derry City's U19s side, a spell that was memorable for the Candystripes' 2021 Enda McGuill Cup triumph. This period coincided with Ruaidhrí Higgins becoming the senior manager of the Premier Division outfit. Higgins and McGuinness subsequently got to know each other better as they were part of the same FAI pro licence coaching course. Well-known names such as current Ireland assistant boss John O'Shea and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini were also part of the graduating class of 2022. 'I wouldn't say we're best mates, but we get on quite well,' Higgins tells The 42 when asked about McGuinness. Ruaidhrí Higgins pictured during his time managing Derry City. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO Higgins, who spent three and a half years in charge at Derry and is now manager of NIFL Premiership club Coleraine, was immediately impressed by the former and future Donegal boss. 'When he walks into the room, he grips you, doesn't he? And he's a very, very smart man, is what it would say. Advertisement 'I just admire what he's done. I suppose, when you look at what he inherited when he first took over, when he won his first All-Ireland, Donegal were in a really poor state. And within a few years, [what he achieved] is just incredible. 'How can you get such buy-in so quickly and then deliver? And it's kind of the same again, when he took over [for the second time in 2023], they weren't in great nick, and he saw real potential, and he's just an unbelievably driven individual. Again, he has back-to-back Ulsters, now with the potential of winning another All-Ireland. So you have to say that he's one of the greats in the game.' Ian Ryan, who currently manages Athlone Town, was also on that pro licence coaching course. 'He's a big man in stature; he has a presence and an aura about him,' says Ryan of McGuinness. 'But a really nice person. And then when he spoke about football, dressing rooms or culture, he made a lot of sense. 'Other people on the course, particularly the Irish lads, would know each other through the League of Ireland circles. Jim's not in that circle. But he mixed really well and was very popular with us.' Despite McGuinness being a relative outsider, Ryan says there was no sense of suspicion or resentment within the group of a man known primarily for his GAA feats. 'It wasn't mentioned at all, really. If anything, we would probe him and ask about the differences with the dressing room or driving training. 'There's similarity, as in, Jim would be big on setting the culture, setting the tone early, and making demands of people, and everybody is clearly defining the boundaries that it's black and white — what's acceptable, and what's not acceptable. He would apply that to the GAA dressing room as well as his work coaching in football. 'And there was never really a falling out with anyone, because either you played to those demands, or if you didn't, you fell outside that.' Higgins would travel to Dublin and back with McGuinness, and found him compelling company on those trips. 'His presentation skills are very good,' he says. 'He's his own man. It's obvious that he's got a high work ethic, and he spent hours and hours cutting videos, and he's always upskilling and developing himself, no matter what it is that he goes into and puts his heart and soul into. 'And no matter who you were on that course — there were a few big names — but whenever Jim spoke, I think everyone listened. He's just an articulate man and captures the room.' Ian Ryan currently manages Athlone Town. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Ryan was similarly impressed with McGuinness's ability to engage those around him. 'He gave a talk one day to our group, presenting on the topic of psychology — it was superb. You'd feel like running through a brick wall for him there in the hotel room, you can see how he captures people and has a hold of them. 'Even listening to him in the [recent] interviews, it brings back memories of hearing him talk. But his motivation to galvanise a group, I would say, is a massive skill. 'And then, he would know his football inside out. He'd be big on the numbers game, as in, if we press with four, then we've six behind. And the overloads that you can gain. And he would break the game down into numbers.' Former Bray Wanderers boss Ryan cites McGuinness' focus on repetition and simplicity as another reason for his success. 'The one thing that stands out to me is he used to say that: 'There's a need for the sexy drills.' But the bit for him was to do the simple things quicker and faster for a longer time. 'I saw a clip there recently. It might have been the [All-Ireland] semi-final of them warming up when it looked like they were there on a basic hand pass drill. But the speed and intensity of that was off the charts. 'And I remember him saying that at the start, in his first night with Donegal, they did the drills for whatever, 30 seconds flat out, and they're on their hands and knees, and he's like: 'Now we're going to do that for 70 odd minutes.' 'And just the fact that I saw that video recently just reminded me that that's the only thing that increases: 'Can you do it quicker? Can you do it faster, more and more and more intentionally and then execute the skill at the same time?' And that's exactly what they were doing in that warm-up.' McGuinness even helped Higgins during some of the more difficult periods when he was managing Derry. In 2023, when the Candystripes were on a bad run domestically, Higgins invited McGuinness into camp to present a psychology workshop for the players. 'He had the room in the palm of his hand,' Higgins recalls. 'And I'm not saying it was that alone, but there was an upturn in our form very soon after it. And people would [regularly] reference that meeting. But not only is he brilliant from a psychology point of view, as a coach, he is phenomenal as well, because he can see [the strengths and weakneesses] with every opposition, he comes up with a plan, very methodical, and you would have to say, in Gaelic terms, he is a bit of a genius.' Higgins continues: 'He's so into the collective. If anybody steps outside of the group, then it's all about the group and the team. 'No matter how talented you are as an individual, if you're not going in the direction of everyone else, then forget about it. The team will be successful. 'So, just the togetherness that he tries to create, and the culture and the work ethic are phenomenal.' Celtic coaches Tommy McIntyre (left) and Jim McGuinness pictured in 2016. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo It also says a lot that in one of his most difficult moments as Derry manager, it was McGuinness that Higgins turned to. 'I'll be honest with you. We were bottom of the league [at Derry] when I took over, and we ended up in Europe. But there was a pivotal game that year at home to St Pat's. I'll never forget it. 'I couldn't settle all day. Obviously, I was new to the job and a new manager. It was all new to me, and I was very anxious and worrying about everything. 'And I actually rang Jim, and I said: 'Jim, I'm on edge here. I'm really worried.' And then he started asking me questions: 'Have you covered this? Have you covered this? Have you covered this?' And basically, simplified it for me, just to reassure me that: 'No, you'll be alright. You've covered all the bases, all the angles.' 'And I felt a lot more settled after that conversation. He gave me 15-20 minutes of his time, and I was really settled. And after that, we ended up getting a great 1-0 win at home. He definitely had a part to play.' Despite all his coaching talents, the overriding perception from the outside, at least, is that McGuinness failed in the world of soccer. Was Ryan surprised that he did not make a greater impact? 'Yeah, and no. I'm surprised that he hasn't got a job, but there are so few jobs here in this country. And you know, he has a large family, a few kids, they're growing up. So that would be a factor in him travelling again, I suppose. 'I would think at some point he will go back to it, or he'll have a go. But obviously, he's having a successful time there with the GAA at the moment.' Higgins also wouldn't be surprised to see McGuinness return to the world of soccer eventually. 'I wouldn't rule it out. I know he's very passionate about it. I definitely wouldn't say that he's failed. I don't think he's had the opportunity that he would have liked. 'And there's no doubt, a lot of the stuff, so much of the stuff is transferable. 'I spoke to him one time about potentially helping me out at Derry as well. At one point, I met him, but he had a lot of other stuff going on. But I've absolutely no doubt that he could be a success, that he would make a really good manager. He's just a huge figure in Irish sport. And any sport would love to have him.' Ryan agrees: 'He has everything in the game from doing the [pro licence] course, and you can apply some of the principles to the GAA pitch. I would say he does. And there are certain aspects there — people going into a low block defensively or breaking. That probably originated from football, and it developed into the GAA, and the rules changed, because people went more tactical. So I'd say there are definitely [soccer] aspects he brings into it.'
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Alex Dunne retakes F2 Championship lead with Belgian Grand Prix victory
Alex Dunne reclaimed the lead of the FIA Formula2 Championship with victory at the Belgian Grand Prix feature race. The Offaly native scorched to pole position on Friday, more than four-tenths of a second clear of Japanese driver Ritomo Miyata. Having claimed second at the rain-sodden British Grand Prix earlier this month, the 19-year-old again showed his skill in wet conditions to claim his third victory of the season at the legendary Spa circuit in a race that began behind a safety car. The Rodin driver and McLaren junior completed the 19 laps ahead of Arvid Lindblad and Roman Stanek, and having started the day third overall in the championship standings, Dunne returns to the summit on 137 points, ahead of Richard Verschoor (122) and Italian Leonardo Fornaroli (121), who was the sprint race winner. Dunne made a flying start once the safety car departed and, despite a brief challenge from Japan's Ritomo Miyata, led by time he entered the pit lane. He returned from the pitstop in fourth before an audacious overtaking manoeuvre past Ollie Goethe saw him re-take the lead. The safety car returned late on when Sebastian Montoya crashed and when Goethe retired in the final lap with engine failure, Dunne took the chequered flag unchallenged. "I had to work really hard for that one," Dunne said afterwards. "It was really tough." Dunne has won two feature races this year in Bahrain and at Imola, and recently became the first Irish driver to feature in a Formula One grand prix session for 22 years when he took part in Friday first practice ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shearer's six-word Evan Ferguson remark speaks volumes as he admits his surprise
Alan Shearer couldn't help but think "wow, what a player he looks," as Evan Ferguson dismantled Newcastle United with a hat-trick. The Irishman has impressed with Brighton and Hove Albion since joining from Bohemians in 2021, racking up 17 goals and six assists in 80 outings for the Seagulls. However, due to stiff competition from the likes of Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro in 2024/25, Ferguson was sent out on a half-season loan with West Ham in February for more frequent football. What ensued was an eight-game dry spell, with the 20-year-old unable to find the back of the net for the Hammers before returning to his parent club. However, if the opinion of all-time Premier League leading goalscorer Shearer is anything to go by, Ferguson still holds massive potential. Speaking to Betfair, the Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle legend said: "I was hugely impressed by Evan Ferguson a few seasons ago and think I did an article on that and how I thought his potential was massive. I'm a tad surprised he's left the Premier League but also it may be a reset for him. "He may go over to Italy for a couple of years and then look to come back to England. I'm surprised he's chosen to leave the Premier League, but I guess we're not sure how many offers he had. "I'd have liked to have seen him stay and show the potential he did in the early days at Brighton. When he scored that hat-trick against Newcastle, I just thought 'wow, what a player he looks.' He's certainly one to keep an eye on over the next season or two." The game in which Shearer referred to took place at the American Express Stadium in September 2023, with Ferguson in flying form against an off-the-pace Newcastle side. Ferguson opened the scoring on the 27th minute when Nick Pope spilled a long-range effort from Billy Gilmour into the striker's path. Evan Ferguson impressed Alan Shearer (Image: PA) He bagged his brace with 65 minutes on the clock, hitting a dipping effort past Pope and into the bottom right corner of the net from outside the box, before completing his hat-trick for the afternoon with a left-footed curler from the edge of the area five minutes later. Callum Wilson's stoppage time goal came as all but a consolation for the Magpies, who made the long journey back to Tyneside with a 3-1 loss to show for their efforts. It comes as Ferguson is set to spend the entirety of 2025/26 on loan with Roma, with the Serie A stalwarts agreeing a deal with Brighton on Wednesday. Speaking about the move, Brighton head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, said: "Evan had a challenging period across the past season and a half, and it has been one disrupted by niggling injury issues. He really wants to play regularly and this is an exciting opportunity in a strong league and with the prospect of European football." And it hasn't taken Ferguson long to make a mark at his temporary club either, scoring four goals in a training-ground friendly against Serie D outfit UniPomezia on Thursday as a No. 9. Roma will be eager to improve on last season's fifth-place finish in Serie A when 2025/26 rolls around, with Ferguson also potentially relishing at playing Europa League football with I Giallorossi. Ferguson spent the last half of 2024/25 on loan with West Ham (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images) Brighton, meanwhile, will miss out on European football this season as a result of finishing eighth in the Premier League standings in 2024/25. However, the Seagulls have worked tirelessly to improve their squad for the fresh campaign, welcoming a number of fresh faces to the AMEX. Centre-half Diego Coppola secured a move to Brighton in June from Hellas Verona for an undisclosed fee, before Do-young Yoon joined the ranks from Daejeon Hana Citizen on a five-year deal at the turn of July. As part of plans from the Brighton camp, however, Yoon will spend his first season with the Seagulls on loan with Excelsior Rotterdam to develop further. Tommy Watson also joined at the turn of the transfer window through a pre-agreed deal with Sunderland AFC, while Maxim De Cuyper made his way to the south coast from Club Brugge, and Charalampos Kostoulas arrived from Olympiacos. It comes as Brighton are set to return to the UK after completing a pre-season tour of Spain. The Seagulls secured a 3-1 win over Stoke City and a 2-0 win over Las Palmas at the Marbella Football Centre and now prepare to take on Southampton at St Mary's and Wolfsburg on home soil ahead of their Premier League opener with Fulham on August 16.
