'Disgraceful': Outrage over 'disgusting' act during legend's funeral
Public outcry has accompanied Paolo Rossi’s funeral, after it emerged that thieves had targeted the Italian football legend's house while he was being laid to rest.
Rossi, who led Italy to their 1982 World Cup title in Spain with six goals in the tournament, died aged 64 on Thursday after an illness and his funeral took place in the Italian city of Vicenza on Saturday.
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The ANSA news agency reported that, when she returned to their house in the Tuscan village of Bucine, his wife Federica Cappelletti found the house had been burgled and valuables stolen, including a watch.
Forensic police have launched an investigation into the incident.
The sorry development has led to outrage on social media, with those responsible for the robbery branded “disgusting and shameful”.
Whoever robbed from Paolo Rossi’s house while he was being laid to rest need stringing up publically. Absolute scum on what must have been an awful day already. RIP Legend
— Rich (@rich301179) December 13, 2020
Paulo Rossi's house robbed during his funeral?
Very, very, very poor show. #Rossi— nasher (@babylonpink) December 13, 2020
Some worthless souls have burgled the house of Paolo Rossi during his funeral, stealing his clock.
Deluded miserables.
Nobody is better than Paolo Rossi to beat the clock on his defender.— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) December 13, 2020
If the stories are true that people broke into the house of Paolo Rossi, as his funeral was going on. His wife and family have been through enough this week. This is just shameful and disgusting
How low can people go.— Scot Munroe (@scot_munroe) December 12, 2020
DISGUSTING! Paolo Rossi's house was burgled during his funeral. Wife came back from the service to discover the house trashed and some valuables missing 😢
— Daniella Matar (@DaniellaMatar) December 12, 2020
There's a special place in hell for people like that.
— James Heiberg (@JamesHeiberg) December 12, 2020
Absolutely disgusting.
— stefano tolaini (@Tolaini74) December 12, 2020
Huge crowd gathers to bid Rossi farewell
Thousands of mourners gathered in northern Italy to watch Rossi's teammates from the World Cup-winning side carry the coffin into the Vicenza Cathedral.
Marco Tardelli, Antonio Cabrini, Giancarlo Antognoni, Alessandro Altobelli, Franco Causio, Fulvio Collovati and Giuseppe Bergomi were among the pallbearers as the event was shown live by state broadcaster Rai.
Rossi, who returned from a two-year ban from football to score a hat-trick in an epic 3-2 win over Brazil, led Italy to their third world title.
"I have not only lost a teammate, but also a friend and a brother," said Cabrini, who provided the cross for Rossi to score the opening goal against Brazil.
"Together we fought, we won and we sometimes lost, always picking ourselves up even in the face of disappointment. We were part of a group, that group, our group. I didn't think he would leave so soon."
Before the funeral, Rossi's coffin was placed at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza where supporters could lay flowers and pay their respects.
Rossi was top-scorer in Serie B as he led Vicenza to promotion in 1976-77 and was also the leading scorer in Serie A the following season.
"Over the last few days we have received incredible, moving expressions of affection. I hope that Paolo has seen all this affection," said Rossi's wife Federica Cappelletti.
"Paolo belonged to the people, to everyone, and it is right that he should be remembered for his greatness."
with AAP
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