Footballer's family robbed at gunpoint in terrifying home invasion
Former England and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says his family is still "very shaken up" after a frightening armed robbery at their family home in Rome.
Smalling - who plays for Italian side Roma - was inside the family home with his wife and young child when armed robbers broke into the property and held the family at gunpoint in the early hours of Friday morning.
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The 31-year-old centre-back was forced to open a safe and hand over watches and jewellery during the terrifying home invasion.
Smalling, his model wife Sam Cooke and the couple's two-year-old son Leo were asleep at the time, when it's understood three hooded men forced their way into the house in the Appia Antica area of Rome.
The robbery reportedly happened in front of Smalling's toddler and the defender admits the incident left the family "very shaken".
"I'd like to thank everyone for your well wishes and support," Smalling said in a post on Twitter.
"My family although very shaken up are luckily unharmed!
"Hoping these people can find a more meaningful way to live their lives without causing such harm and distress to others."
Police have launched an investigation into the robbery after local media reported that the young family was "very distressed" by the home invasion.
A knee injury meant Smalling did not feature in Thursday night's home 1-1 Europa League tie against Ajax, which saw the Italian side qualify for the semi-finals where they will meet his former club, Manchester United.
The defender won two Premier League titles with the Red Devils after signing from Fulham in 2010.
Smalling back at training after incident
In the autumn, Roma coach Paulo Fonseca and Lazio Rome player Joaquin Correa were also victims of burglaries while they were away with their teams.
Smalling, who earned 31 caps for England, joined Roma from United in October 2020 on a permanent deal, having spent the previous season on loan.
Fonseca said on Saturday that Smalling was back training.
"We are assessing his situation every day. He's started training out on the pitch again," said Fonseca.
"Let's see. When he has confidence in his ability to return, he will return. But I think he is doing a lot better."
Seventh-placed Roma travel to Torino on Sunday in Serie A looking to close in on the European places.
with agencies
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