Juventus team manager and former defender Gianluca Pessotto has been seriously injured after falling from a building at the club's headquarters.
"Gianluca suffered multiple fractures, but his life is not in danger," said Juventus spokesman Marco Girotto. It is unclear where exactly the 35-year-old fell from - early reports suggested he had fallen out of a second-floor window, but now it seems he may have fallen from the roof of the building. Club officials said they were unable to give details and were looking into all possibilities.
According to police sources, Pessotto was found clutching a rosary, having fallen around 15 metres to the ground, although they insisted it was still unclear what had happened. Pessotto, who only retired at the end of last season after spending 11 seasons with Juventus, was taken to the Molinette hospital in Turin.
Italy captain and former Juve team-mate Fabio Cannavaro walked out of a national squad press conference this morning after hearing about the accident. "I'm shocked. 'Pessottino' is the nicest man on earth," said Cannavaro, while Marco Materazzi added: "He was here in Germany just the other day, what happened? He's a friend who must recover. We are all close to him."
After recently being assigned his new role after the club's entire board resigned in May, Pessotto had said: "It's an opportunity that allows me to start a new career and at the same time remain in contact with the team."
Juventus are currently facing charges relating to the massive match-fixing scandal rocking Italy. The scandal began last month with the publication of intecepted telephone conversations between former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and Italian Football Federation officials discussing refereeing appointments.
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