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Nedved may perform retirement U-turn

Monday 23 March 2009 11:17 GMT
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(GETTY IMAGES)

Pavel Nedved's agent believes the Juventus midfielder could be persuaded to reverse his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Nedved, 36, came off the bench to score a superb goal during Saturday's 4-1 rout of AS Roma and afterwards agent Mino Raiola suggested the former Czech Republic star could be persuaded to play on beyond this summer.

"Will he quit? I think he will play on and could do so for five more years," he said. "I will do everything in my power to make sure he wears the Juve shirt again next season.

"There is still hope until September. He simply would like to retire to make room for young players."

Meanwhile, Sampdoria’s director of sport, Giuseppe Marotta, remains hopeful of retaining star striker Antonio Cassano beyond the end of the season.

The rejuvenated Italy forward has been linked with a 12m euro summer move to Juventus, but Marotta claims suggestions that he will definitely be heading out of the Luigi Ferraris at the end of the season are premature.

"As for that reported offer, I can only say that Cassano is in charge of deciding his own future," he said.

"He is a crucial part in whatever decision this club will have to make. We will sort this out together at the end of the season.

"I can't deny that we would be very pleased if presented with such an offer, but I repeat that we would like to keep Cassano with us since I believe he is among the world's top 20 players."

AC Milan’s general manager Adriano Galliani was targeted for abuse from Napoli fans after Sunday’s goalless draw between the two teams.

Napoli thought they should have won the game after Marek Hamsik had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside during the first half.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Galliani’s car was attacked by 50 men when it was stuck in traffic for over half-an-hour outside the ground.

Galliani’s car was hit and spat at, with two tyres being punctured before a police escort was forced to call for back-up to protect the car.

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