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Mussolini’s Great-Grandson Hopes Skills on Pitch Outweigh Family Name

Romano Floriani Mussolini. (ANSA/AFP)
Romano Floriani Mussolini. (ANSA/AFP)
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Mussolini’s Great-Grandson Hopes Skills on Pitch Outweigh Family Name

Romano Floriani Mussolini. (ANSA/AFP)
Romano Floriani Mussolini. (ANSA/AFP)

Defender Romano Floriani Mussolini, the great-grandson of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, said he wants his footballing talent to mean more than his family name as he readies for a Serie A debut with promoted side Cremonese.

The 22-year-old right back, on loan from Lazio, joined Cremonese earlier this month after the club earned promotion to the Italian top flight via the Serie B playoffs.

"I'm here to play football. My surname? It has bothered others more than it's ever bothered me. It's a heavy name for others, but not for me," Floriani Mussolini told a press conference on Wednesday.

"The less it's talked about, the better. I'm here to express myself on the pitch, nothing else... I want to gain valuable experience in Serie A, go up against more experienced players, and play as much as possible to showcase my abilities."

Floriani Mussolini is the son of Mauro Floriani and Italian politician Alessandra Mussolini, a former member of the European Parliament for the Forza Italia party and the grand-daughter of Benito Mussolini, who was prime minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943 following a fascist coup.

Floriani Mussolini, who can also play as a winger, made 37 appearances for Juve Stabia last season, who lost to Cremonese in the semi-finals of the playoffs. He joined the Lazio youth academy at the age of 13 from rivals AS Roma.

"The match against Lazio will be special, it's the team I grew up with and support," he added.

"But right now I'm focused on giving my all for Cremonese, and I want to win that one."

Cremonese begin their Serie A campaign away to AC Milan on August 23.

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Sports

Gucci to Become Title Partner of Renault's Alpine F1 Team from 2027

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore in the paddock ahead of the grand prix REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore in the paddock ahead of the grand prix REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
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Gucci to Become Title Partner of Renault's Alpine F1 Team from 2027

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore in the paddock ahead of the grand prix REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore in the paddock ahead of the grand prix REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

Gucci will become title partner to Renault's Alpine Formula One team from the 2027 season, the Italian luxury brand said on Wednesday.

Alpine, whose current title partner is Austrian water treatment company BWT, will race as Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team.

The announcement is Gucci's latest in a string of high-profile moves to boost its visibility and revive sales after years of decline. Earlier this month, it staged a major runway show in New York's Times Square to grab global attention.

The collaboration will be part of Gucci Racing, which Gucci says will be "a new business and experiential platform built around the values of performance, precision, discipline, and excellence at the intersection of luxury and sport."

For luxury ⁠brands confronted with ⁠falling global demand for their prized handbags and dresses, exclusive events, such as Formula One racing, have emerged as a major new playing field.

In 2024, Liberty Media-owned Formula One clinched a multi-year deal with French luxury giant LVMH valued at over $100 million.

The Gucci deal, for which no financials were disclosed, will make the brand the first luxury fashion house to lend its name to a racing team, Reuters quoted the company as saying.

The tie-up also brings the brand ⁠closer to the world of Luca de Meo, the CEO of Gucci's French parent company Kering, who previously served as Renault's chief executive.

"Formula One has evolved far beyond sport to become one of the world's most powerful premium content platforms, reaching over 1.5 billion people each season and inspiring a rapidly expanding, younger and increasingly female audience," said de Meo.

"We see it as a unique platform for a luxury brand to push boundaries, spark meaningful connections and build long-term value and brand desirability, while delivering measurable and lasting impact."

Alpine's team is run by Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, a friend and longtime ally of de Meo, who first entered Formula One with the Benetton team in 1990.

Briatore was ⁠described early in his ⁠F1 career as a "T-shirt salesman" but is now known for far more expensive tastes as an operator of high-end nightclubs and restaurants and owner of the "Billionaire" brand.

Briatore said he was incredibly proud of the deal.

"Not only that, but I am also excited about the possibilities the partnership with Gucci brings and the great things we can achieve together at a global level," he said.

"The Enstone Team has a history of doing things differently to others and has previously shown that fashion can finish first in Formula One," Briatore said, referring to Alpine's Oxfordshire base.

As Benetton, the team won titles with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995 and then as Renault with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.

Alpine were last of all the teams in 2025 but have started 2026 strongly and are fifth of 11 after five rounds.

Sports

West Ham Stick with Espirito Santo Despite Relegation from Premier League

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
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West Ham Stick with Espirito Santo Despite Relegation from Premier League

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien

West Ham United have decided to keep manager Nuno Espirito Santo in charge of the London side despite their relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season, the club said on Wednesday.

West Ham finished 18th in the standings to drop down to the second-tier Championship for the first time since 2011.

"While the ultimate outcome on Sunday was a painful one, the Board of Directors believe that there have been broader signs of improvement and progress in recent months, and we want Nuno to continue developing that progress," Reuters quoted the ⁠club as saying in ⁠a statement.

West Ham ended the campaign with 19 defeats and 10 wins, finishing two points behind London rivals Tottenham Hotspur despite winning their final fixture 3-0 against Leeds United on Sunday as Spurs beat Everton 1-0 to stay up.

The writing was on the wall for West Ham when they lost ⁠three straight games earlier this month against Brentford, Arsenal and Newcastle United, leaving Spurs in control of their destiny on the final day.

The club said they held meetings with Espirito Santo earlier this week, with the Portuguese manager expressing his commitment to the club he joined in September on a three-year contract following the sacking of Graham Potter.

The board of directors added they had seen a "clear improvement in squad mentality and togetherness" since January, making the 52-year-old the ideal candidate ⁠to lead ⁠their promotion charge next season.

"Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season," the club added.

"Nuno has spent one previous year in the EFL Championship and it was an outstanding success as he secured 99 points to win the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018."

West Ham also said they were reducing season ticket prices by up to 30% after their relegation.

Sports

Northern Ireland Boss O'Neill Extends Contract Until 2032

FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
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Northern Ireland Boss O'Neill Extends Contract Until 2032

FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has signed a four-year contract extension until 2032, the country's Football Association said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 56-year-old, who returned for a second spell in 2022 having left the team in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has managed a record-breaking 104 games for his side.

"This is a role that means a great deal to me," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we ⁠are moving in. ⁠There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future."

O'Neill first took charge of Northern Ireland in 2011 and oversaw their qualification for Euro 2016 - the nation's first major international tournament in 30 years - where they were ⁠knocked out in the last 16.

He had also been appointed interim Blackburn Rovers manager in February, balancing the role alongside his Northern Ireland duties, but it was confirmed earlier this month that he would not take that job on a permanent basis.

Northern Ireland also missed out on a place at the World Cup after a 2-0 defeat by Italy in a UEFA play-off semi-final in March, ending ⁠their hopes ⁠of qualifying for the tournament for the first time since 1986.

Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood praised O'Neill's impact and said his contribution has been significant to the team.

"I am delighted that he will continue that work into the future and I look forward to more memorable achievements for the team," he said.

Northern Ireland face Guinea in a friendly on June 4 before travelling to France as part of preparations for the UEFA Nations League, which begins in September.