Roma defender Chris Smalling and his family have been subjected to an armed robbery in their home on the outskirts of the Italian capital, with three armed men breaking into his house early on Friday morning.
Detailed division of the Italian news agency Ansa revealed that the armed robbers gained access to the property by removing a lattice from a bedroom window.
Robbers managed to break in through a bedroom window | Silvia Lore / Getty Images
It is said that Smalling, who previously missed Roma’s Europa League match against Ajax earlier in the evening with a knee injury, was forced to open a safe under arms. The criminals got rid of three Rolex watches, jewelery and € 300 in cash.
A call to the police was made at five o’clock and the investigators are investigating security material.
Former Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford tweeted his support for the midfielder and his family: “Thinking of you @ChrisSmalling and your wonderful family. So sorry to wake up to the news this morning. Can not imagine how you feel but I hope you are ok. ”
Thinking of you @ChrisSmalling and your wonderful family. So sorry to wake up to the news this morning. Can not imagine how you feel but I hope you are ok ♥ ️
– Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) April 16, 2021
Unfortunately, the trauma of burglary is all too common for top football players. Smalling is not the only one recently targeted in Rome, with Roma coach Paulo Fonseca and Lazio forward Joaquin Correa victims of similar crimes. Fonseca and his family were at least out of the house when the burglary occurred and did not have to face the robbers face to face.
A number of Smalling’s former colleagues in England have been focused on the past, with North West 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.
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!
