Chris Smalling & family fall victim to armed robbery at home
Roma defender Chris Smalling and his family have been the victim of an armed robbery at their home on the outskirts of the Italian capital, with three armed men breaking into his house in the early hours of Friday morning.
Details share by Italian news agency Ansa revealed that the armed robbers gained access to the property by removing a grating from a bedroom window.
It is said that Smalling, who had missed Roma’s Europa League game against Ajax earlier that evening with a knee injury, was forced to open a safe at gunpoint. The criminals made off with three Rolex watches, jewellery and €300 in cash.
A call to the police was made at 5am and investigators are examining security footage.
Former Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford tweeted his support to the centre-back and his family: “Thinking about you @ChrisSmalling and your lovely family. So sorry to wake up to the news this morning. Can’t imagine how you’re feeling but I hope you’re ok.”
Sadly, the trauma of burglaries are all too common for top footballers. Smalling is not the only one to be recently targeted in Rome, with Roma coach Paulo Fonseca and Lazio forward Joaquin Correa victim to similar crimes. Fonseca and his family were at least out of the house when the break-in happened and didn’t have to come face to face with the robbers.
A number of Smalling’s ex-colleagues in England have been targeted in the past, with the north west of England seemingly a particular hotspot for similar crimes as a result of a concentration of wealthy players and managers from Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton.
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