The former Milan defender and captain was 66 years old. His career got off to a poor start, during one of the most disastrous periods in Milan’s history. He played two seasons in Serie B, experiencing a rollercoaster of highs and lows, yet he never once questioned his commitment to the Rossoneri. And for one simple reason: is there any other shirt like it? Then came the great victories

A World Cup without Europe would cause sponsors and even spectators to walk away, given that only in Infantino’s rhetorical fantasy do some people dream of a final between Curaçao and Cape Verde. Unless a compromise is reached with FIFA, it will end badly

The F1 CEO takes stock of the mid-season: sold-out races everywhere, new fans thanks to the Italian driver’s appeal, and a simpler set of rules on the way. If the Gulf dispute isn’t resolved, the season finale could be held at Imola or in Portugal. “We’ll decide by September: Formula 1 is stronger today than any storm”

The story of the Italian national team really does seem like an Odyssey. Where Ithaca is Malago's club on the Tiber, as unchanging as a Roman Olympus 

The national team will not be entrusted to the former Milan and Juventus midfielder. Contacts with a Russian club with close ties to the Kremlin, doubts about his coaching track record and the debate over the future of the national team have led politicians and supporters to discuss merit, responsibility and appropriateness rather than football allegiances

Antonelli is still gaining ground on his rivals despite a difficult weekend for Mercedes. Ferrari is shooting itself in the foot with poor strategy choices – starting with the red tyres at the start – and repeated blunders that have resulted in penalties