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Former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling robbed at gunpoint in Italian home as Marcus Rashford sends message of support

talksport.com, 16 April 2021, 15:00

Chris Smalling and his family have been the victims of an armed robbery at their home in Italy.

The former Manchester United and England defender, now at Roma, was targeted by masked raiders in the early hours of Friday morning.

According to local reports, three men entered the house - in the Appia Antica district south of Roma - with guns.

Smalling, whose wife and two-year-old son were also present, was forced to open his safe and hand over watches, jewellery and cash.

Smalling had not been involved in Thursday night's game at home against Ajax he is currently sidelined with a knee injury, so would have watched from home.

His wife, Sam, contacted the police at around 5am on Friday morning and officers arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.

Police are investigating the incident and Roma have offered their support to the player and his family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Smalling (@smalling)

Smalling and the club have yet to comment publicly but Marcus Rashford, his former Man United teammate, sent a message of support.

"Thinking about you Chris Smalling and your lovely family," he wrote on Twitter.

"So sorry to wake up to the news this morning. Can't imagine how you're feeling but I hope you're ok."

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 ♥️

— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) April 16, 2021

Smalling joined Roma initially on loan in 2019 and went on to sign for the Serie A permanently a year later, ending a ten-year career at Man United where he won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, EFL Cup and the Europa League.

The defender first moved out to Rome on his own, living in a hotel during his loan spell, before he and his wife purchased a 700 year old villa in the historic Appia Antica area of the city, where they have lived for a year.

He has been injured for large parts of the season, and did not play in Thursday night's Europa League clash against Ajax.

The 1-1 draw in Rome booked the Italian side a place in the semi-finals of the competition, as they ran out 3-2 winners on aggregate, and they will face Smalling's former club Man United in the last four.

News of the robbery comes after fellow Serie A star, United States international Weston McKennie, was burgled while he was playing for Juventus back in January.

In November last year, thieves also broke into Roma manager Paulo Fonseca's home on the eve of the side's clash against Fiorentina.

Robbers are said to have stolen an estimated €100,000 worth of valuables from the coach's home.

Fortunately though, he and his family were not present for the burglary.

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