GENOA COACH LUCA De Pra has been suspended by the club after he was caught spying in the bushes of Sampdoria’s training ground.
The club claimed that he was acting alone, saying in a statement:
“No director or member of the coaching staff sent Luca De Pra to watch the training session at Bogliasco. It was a personal initiative.
“This has never been done before and is not part of the club’s modus operandi. The club makes it known that De Pra has been suspended with immediate effect pending further explanations.”
Gazzetta Dello Sport reported that a man dressed in military clothing was spotted moving in a small woodland area.
He was subsequently chased by members of staff and identified.
A Sampdoria statement added: “That the [upcoming] derby is a question of nerve, tactics and strategy we already knew, but frankly, we could never expect that it could turn into an scene of espionage.
“Like Rambo hidden among the branches on the hill, Luca De Pra, Genoa goalkeeping coach and man of noble footballing ancestry, failed to overcome Sampdoria’s intelligence and counter intelligence operations.
“However, no prisoners were taken, and no blood was shed. Once tracked down and caught red-handed, the opposing side’s soldier was let free to return to base. You should always forgive your enemies, as nothing annoys them more.”
YouTube credit: RamboMemorial
