Italy's highest court cleared the late Agentine soccer legend Diego Maradona of tax evasion charges, ending a 30-year-long legal battle between the ex-Napoli striker and revenue authorities.

Italy's Davis Cup hero Jannik Sinner said it was a "special feeling" to end his team's 47-year drought in the competition on Sunday in Malaga.

A "proud" Jannik Sinner beat world number one Novak Djokovic twice in one day to send Italy into the Davis Cup final with a 2-1 win over Serbia on Saturday in Malaga.

Italy only needed the draw in a game played in Leverkusen, Germany, in order to qualify but a defeat against their direct rivals in Group C would have left their fate to be decided in play-offs next March.

Albania also qualified on Friday, drawing 1-1 in Moldova to ensure they would finish in the top two in Group E.

Giacomo Bonaventura curled in his first Italy goal and Domenico Berardi produced a fine strike of his own to double the lead in Bari.

AS Roma forward Stephan El Shaarawy was called up to the Italy team on Friday after Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were sent home amid a probe into alleged gambling offences.

The road to Germany resumed this week as Euro 2024 qualifying kicked back into action with a number of teams in position to clinch qualification.

Luciano Spalletti leads Italy into a symbolic debut on Saturday as the Azzurri travel to North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifying, a chance to exorcise the ghosts of World Cup disaster.

Luciano Spalletti will be the new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, the country's football federation said on Friday, replacing Roberto Mancini who resigned on Aug 13.

Roberto Mancini insists that a potential move to the Saudi Arabia national team is not the reason for his sudden and highly criticised decision to quit Italy.

Roberto Mancini has resigned as head coach of the Italian national team, the country's football federation (FIGC) said on Sunday.

According to Italian sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is set to retire from professional football.

La Roja snatched a late winner through Joselu after Italy's Ciro Immobile cancelled out Yeremy Pino's opening goal.

Yeremy Pino sent La Roja ahead after three minutes but Ciro Immobile netted from the penalty spot to level and the game seemed destined for extra-time before Joselu prodded home from point-blank range to win it.

Roberto Mancini's side take on Spain in Enschede, the Netherlands on Thursday.

The punishment, followed swiftly by a 4-1 defeat by Empoli on Monday evening, leaves Italy's most successful soccer club in seventh place in Serie A, outside of the places for European competition qualification.

More than 200 people ended up in hospital overnight for injuries sustained during the celebrations, La Stampa said, from knife wounds to burns from firecrackers and asthma attacks caused by inhaling smoke from flares.

Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has been involved in a car accident involving a tram near the Stadio Olimpico.

 Juventus have been ordered to close part of their stadium for their next home Serie A match against Napoli by an Italian sports judge after Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was racially abused during Tuesday's Coppa Italia semi-final.