Former Foggia goalkeeper Andries Noppert, who started for the Netherlands against Senegal today, had revealed in February that he had to ‘pay the Mafia’ to get his stolen car back when he was playing in Italy.
The 28-year-old spent a year and a half at Foggia in Serie B, conceding 12 goals in eight appearances between January 2018 and the summer of 2019.
The Netherlands’ boss Louis van Gaal didn’t only include him in his 26-man squad list for the World Cup but also started the goalkeeper – the tallest player in Qatar – between the sticks in today’s opening match won 2-0 against Senegal.
This past February, Noppert had opened up about his time in Italy with an interview with ESPN, where he admitted that he had paid the Mafia to get his stolen car back.
“My car was stolen, but I was able to get it back from the mafia,” he said.
During his interview, the goalkeeper also referred to the ‘general insecurity feeling’ he had at his former club in Italy.
During his spell at Foggia, the Rossoneri’s ultras set Pietro Iemmello’s car on fire after a defeat and used explosive devices to intimidate the owner Franco Sannella.
“We could not go around the city after defeats,” the goalkeeper admitted.
“They [ultras] would deflate our cars’ tyres or make bombs explode in our courtyards.”
Ultras are punk thugs who do nothing bur blemish Calcio.
Unreal. Absolute idiots.