• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Francesco Flachi Returns To Football, Age 46, After Serving 12 Year Ban For Cocaine

Home> Football

Published 15:04 14 Feb 2022 GMT

Francesco Flachi Returns To Football, Age 46, After Serving 12 Year Ban For Cocaine

Flachi gave a heartwarming statement at full-time.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Former Serie A striker Francesco Flachi returned to football last weekend, 12 years after being banned for using cocaine.

Flachi played over 100 games in Italy's top tier between 1993 and 2010 for Fiorentina and Sampdoria.

He was suspended after relapsing while playing in Serie B for Brescia and it's been a long road back.

Despite being 46-years-old, Flachi was desperate to end his career on his own terms and turned out for fifth division side Signa 1914 after five months of training with the club.

Flachi played 30 minutes of the 2-2 draw and was cheered on in the stands by former Sampdoria manager Walter Novellino.

Advert

An emotional Flachi spoke following the game and it's clear to see just how much this return meant to him.

He explained per Football-Italia: "I felt dazed before the game, I haven’t slept fro a week because of the excitement.

"I am so happy now and I want to thank all those who are making me feel like a footballer again."

Flachi wants to stay involved in football and is interested in moving into the dugout.

He continued: "The journey has just begun, let’s see what will happen. In May, I will begin a coaching course."

Advert

Flachi was first suspended in January 2007, when he was captain of Sampdoria, after traces of cocaine were found in his system during a random drug test.

It was initially a 16 month ban which was then extended to two years.

His second ban came just a year after returning and many believed it was the end of his career.

Image
Alamy

Advert

"I know I made a mistake and I got punished for it," he told BBC Sport in a brutally honest interview back in September. "I also know I am not as fast as I used to be, but I can do my part and help these guys believe in themselves.

"I also want them to understand how beautiful football is. They can't afford to lose what I threw away."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Francesco Flachi/Instagram

Topics: Serie A, Italy

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

X

@DanMarland_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal fans demand the same signing after watching Real Madrid vs Juventus

    Real defeated Juventus 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Real Madrid on the verge of making Club World Cup history after Juventus win

    Real defeated Juventus in a round of 16 clash at the Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans think it's time for a difficult conversation about one player despite Juventus win

    Not every Real fan was upbeat after their 1-0 win over Juventus.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Brandon Williams linked with shock move to reunite with former Man Utd manager in bid to revive his career

    Williams has been a free agent since leaving United last summer.

    Football
  • Hardman dubbed 'the most hated man in football' was given eight-week ban for horrific tackle that led to retirement
  • Spanish influencer issues statement after being spotted with Lamine Yamal despite 12-year age gap
  • Udinese player subbed off after SCORING penalty in one of the ‘craziest series of events’ ever in Serie A
  • Italian ref handed two-year ban for disgraceful comment he made to player after sending him off