Soccer: Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has denied suffering a stroke while undergoing surgery last week. In an FAI statement released this afternoon, the 71-year-old confirmed he underwent routine surgery on a carotid artery but the procedure passed off without complication.
“I had a scheduled operation to clean the carotid artery on December 28th in Milan," he said. "I am recovering well and expect to return to work in the coming weeks. Contrary to media speculation, I can confirm that I have not suffered a stroke. I will be in Ireland on January 24th to announce my squad for the Carling Nations Cup match against Wales on February 8th."
Italian newspapers Liberoand La Repubblicareported the veteran manager suffered a light stroke and partial paralysis on his right side, before being discharged from hospital yesterday.
Trapattoni spent several days in Dublin's Mater Hospital in August last year after being admitted suffering from abdominal pains as a result of minor scar tissue from a previous procedure.
That meant the Italian had to watch his side's 1-0 friendly defeat by Argentina in their first game at the newly-refurbished Aviva Stadium from his hospital bed.
However, the former Italy manager, who celebrates his 72nd birthday in March, was back in harness for the Euro 2012 qualifier victories over Armenia and Andorra early the following month.
Ireland currently lie in second place in Group B, level on seven points with both Armenia and Slovakia and two behind leaders Russia, who won 3-2 in Dublin on October 8th. The qualification campaign resumes against Macedonia in March, before a trip to the former Yugoslavian republic in June.
