"Kakà resta al Milan". Signor Berlusconi Tells the World that Ricky Said No to City

Ricardo Kakà said no to Manchester City.

Incredibly, and it is important to note that AC Milan accepted the transfer request for a little less than 130 million euros, but the player ultimately had the final say.

Kakà resta al Milan". Così il premier Silvio Berlusconi ha dichiarato intervenendo telefonicamente alla trasmissione Il processo di Biscardi. Berlusconi ha poi aggiunto : "Per Kakà i soldi non sono tutto. Lui resta con noi, ci sono cose che sono più importanti dei soldi:siamo felici"... "Avevamo offerto al giocatore la possibilità di prendere in considerazione l'offerta e farsi un patriomonio consistente, ma lui ha valori più alti"..."Avevamo offerto al giocatore la possibilità di prendere in considerazione l'offerta e farsi un patriomonio consistente, ma lui ha valori più alti"... E' stato lui a togliersi dal mercato con questa sua decisione di restare legato al contratto che ha con il Milan. Un contratto firmato su una carta da bollo ma da ora in avanti possiamo ben dire firmato sul sentimento, firmato con il cuore."

" 'Kakà will remain at Milan.' The Italian Premier, Silvio Berlusconi, declared by telephone, and then added:

'For Kakà money wasn't everything. He is staying with us, there are some things more important than money: we are very happy...

We had offered the player the possibility to take into consideration the offer and to make himself financially secure for life, but he has much higher values.

It was he who took himself off of the market with this decision to remain tied to his contract with Milan. A contract signed on a notarized document, but now looking ahead, we can say it was signed based on feelings, signed by his heart.' "

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 19 January 2009.

Kakà Writes His Milan Legacy

Earlier in the day, Garry Cook of Manchester City met with Bosco Leite, Kakà's father and agent. But apparently, contractual terms could not be agreed. Or perhaps as Signor Berlusconi stated, the honor and commitment of Kakà to Milan went much further than pounds or euros.

"Alla fine ha contato la mia storia, dove sono legato e dove è in realtà il mio cuore. Tutti i messaggi che mi arrivavano - dice a Milan Channel - mi dicevano di scegliere con il cuore. E io così ho fatto. Non è una stata una scelta economica."

"In the end, my history counted, where I am tied and where in reality is my heart. All of the messages that arrived (from supporters), he told the Milan Channel, told me to choose with my heart. And I did. It was not an economic choice."

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 19 January 2009.

Outside of Paolo Maldini, no player will endear himself more to the Rossoneri faithful.

Like Father Like Son: Luciano and Alessandro Moggi

On 08 January in a Roman court, Luciano Moggi, the former director general of Juventus FC, along with his son, Alessandro, a sports agent and manager at GEA World, were sentenced for their involvement in the 2006 Calciopoli scandal that rocked Italian football.

Moggi Sr. received a suspended sentence of 1 year and 6 months for corruption. His son received a suspended sentence of 1 year and 2 months. They are not likely to see any prison time, and the appeal process will begin shortly.

Several others, including the son of Marcello Lippi, Davide, were exonerated from any wrongdoing. Davide is also an agent at GEA World.

As usual, Signor Moggi, who has already been banned for 5 years from Italian football, was defiant and unrepetant:

"Alla fine hanno assolto la Gea e hanno condannato i Moggi: è una vergogna. Ma la montagna ha partorito il topolino. Mi dispiace soltanto per mio figlio Alessandro, lui è giovane."

"Queste accuse non reggeranno in appello. Il processo di secondo grado non saranno i tempi supplementari di questa vicenda. Lì andiamo al golden gol".

Grande delusione anche per il figlio Alessandro: "Sono amareggiato e deluso, mi aspettavo una piena assoluzione - ha commentato -. Sono stato condannato per aver parlato 30 secondi con due giocatori."

"In the end they absolved GEA but condemned the Moggis: it is a disgrace. But the mountain was cut in half by a mouse. I am sorry only for my son, Alessandro, he is young.

These accusations will not end in appeal. The next process won't be extra time in this matter. We will go to the golden goal."

A great delusion for his son, Alessandro.

"I am bitter and disillusioned, I had hoped to be cleared in full," he commented.

"I was condemned for having spoken for 30 seconds with two players."

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 08 January 2009.