The madness of Cassano

Italian crack-pot Antonio Cassano is in trouble again after literally losing his rag during a Serie A match in which he threw his shirt at a referee following his sending-off against Torino.

	“	Antonio has incredible quality, but he is as strong as he is mad. ”
		Fabio Cannavaro on Antonio Cassano

The troubled, but talented, forward has been dogged by controversy during his career and was sent on loan to Sampdoria early this season after several high-profile disagreements with his current employers Real Madrid.

The Italian international was hoping to get his career back on track with a permanent move to the Genoa club and was even an outside bet to make it into Roberto Donadoni's Azzurri squad for Euro 2008; but Cassano's latest antics have landed him with a five-match ban and a career once again in jeopardy.

Having been booked for over celebrating his 53rd-minute equaliser in the Blucerchiati's 2-2 draw with Torino, Cassano was sent off late in the game for using foul and abusive language towards match referee Nicola Pierpaoli.

Once Pierpaoli had flourished the red card Cassano had to be restrained by team-mates but still managed to remove his shirt and hurl it at the referee.

Following a minute or so of his best Italian insults the 25-year-old seemed to realise the gravity of the situation and after a tearful moment of reflection apologised to the fans before stalking off the pitch and standing shirtless in the dug-out.

Lega Calcio's disciplinary committee fined the Bari-born striker €15,000 and banned him for misdemeanours that included: unruly behaviour; repeated insults; taking his shirt off with contempt; remaining on the pitch and making intimidating remarks. A list that could summarise Cassano's career to date.

Sampdoria will not appeal the decision and the club's general director Beppe Marotta said: 'Cassano must understand, even with our help, that his career is at risk by making these actions.'

Once described as the 'The future of Italian football' by then Azzurri coach Giovanni Trapattoni following his €28m transfer from Bari to Serie A Champions Roma in 2001 petulance has prevented those lofty predictions from coming true.

Once at i Giallorossi Cassano fell out with manager Fabio Capello after being omitted from a training match - prompting the coach to coin the phrase Cassanata, which is still used by the Italian press to describe any behaviour that has a negative affect on team spirit.

However, Cassano's behaviour under Cappello was almost angelic compared with the disputes and petulance that marred his career under successive coaches at Roma until his contract dispute with current boss Luciano Spalletti saw him virtually booted out of the club in 2006. The striker famously left for Real Madrid without saying a word to his former team-mates.

Having arrived at the world's richest club, and re-united with Capello, Cassanata was back to his old tricks. Following his omission from the team for a game against Gimnastic de Tarragona the miffed striker lambasted his coach in the dressing room and reportedly said to Capello: 'Have you got no shame? I fought for you in Rome and this is how you repay me?'.

Once out in the cold, and publicly lambasted by Real president Ramon Calderon on Spanish radio, Cassano claimed he had made a mistake in leaving Italy and would walk all the way back to Roma. But with Giallorossi golden-boy Francesco Totti still at the club and still disgruntled by the pair's falling out that was never going to happen, so Sampdoria offered him a lifeline.

It appeared that the fiery striker had settled in nicely, scoring seven goals in his first 15 games, but once again his hot-headed nature brought controversy and doubt on the future of the technically gifted player.

This latest turn of events has even prompted friend and Real Madrid colleague Fabio Cannavaro to express his disappointment at Cassano's actions.

'I have always defended Antonio but this time it's impossible to do so,' the Italy captain said.

'Antonio has incredible quality, out of the ordinary, but he is as strong as he is mad.'

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The case of the missing tapasexo

Whilst not wanting dwell on the negative it is difficult to ignore the plight of another troubled striker, Adriano, who is spending his time in Brazil comforting carnival queen Viviane Castro after she was kicked out of a parade for dancing nude.

Adriano hooked up with Castro after joining Sao Paulo on loan to escape the partying, drinking and... er... womanising that had stalled his promising career at Serie A club Inter Milan.

Now facing the sack from the Tricolor Paulista for missing training, continued alcohol problems and headbutting an opponent now Adriano's latest lady, Senorita Castro, has also brought the troubles of a 'bad tapasexo' upon him.

During a carnival last month the dancer was disqualified for displaying 'exposed genitalia'. Her explanation was that the small triangle of material, called a bad tapasexo, that was glued on to cover her intimate parts had fallen off.

At least she is keeping Adriano's mind off his other worries.

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Frank's secret fetish

Frank Rijkaard's on-off move to Chelsea appears to be off again after his brother and advisor Herman revealed that Barcelona can provide their Dutch coach with something that Roman Abramovich hasn't even thought to offer.

What is this alluring charm that Rijkaard cannot do with out?

'Frank and his family are very happy in Spain,' explained Herman. 'He can eat two or three steaks a day if he wants to.'

Two or three steaks a day?

The way to a man's heart is truly through his stomach and Barca are the object of Rijkaard's affection. The numerous Michelin Star restaurants that litter Chelsea just can't compete.

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• If you have any thoughts you can email Dominic Raynor.