Cassano begs Sampdoria to let him stay

Bad boy Antonio Cassano has begged his employers Sampdoria to let him stay at the club following a spat with club president Riccardo Garrone.

Sampdoria have asked Italian footballing authorities for permission to terminate the Italy striker’s contract after he apparently argued with and insulted Garrone on Tuesday.

But now Cassano, who has often fallen out with coaches, team-mates and footballing authorities in the past, has begged for a second chance.

“I’m sorry for what happened and I’ve already apologised to Mr Garrone, who I’m very fond of, in the presence of my team-mates,” Cassano told Ansa.

“I’ve read that there’s a lot of speculation surrounding the transfer market but I repeat, as long as there is this possibility, I want to stay at Sampdoria.

“No-one realises the delicate time I’m going through with my wife.

“If I want to stay close to her as much as is possible, given my many sporting obligations, then there’s a reason, but I don’t want to make my private life public.”

Italian press reports claim the 28-year-old Cassano refused to join Garrone at an awards event on Tuesday night, after which Sampdoria dropped him from the match day squad for Sunday’s visit to Cesena.

“Referring to the episode on Tuesday 26th (October) at the Gloriano Mugnaini training centre during which the footballer Antonio Cassano behaved in a seriously offensive and disrespectful way in his meeting with the president Riccardo Garrone, Sampdoria have asked the relevant organisations to begin disciplinary proceedings,” said a club statement on Friday.

Press reports claim Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus would be interested in signing the errant star, a regular under new Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.