Albert Riera was sacked by Udinese after missing a match to play poker tournement…
Former Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera has fallen quite some way since his days playing Champions League football for the Reds during the 2008-09 season.
Riera has been sacked by Italian club Udinese, after missing a game in order to participate in a poker tournament. Reports in the Daily Mirror claim that the 32-year-old finished second, pocketing £3,000 as a result.
The Spanish international cost Rafael Benitez £8m when he brought him to Anfield from Espanyol six and a half years ago, while he has also spent time in England with both Manchester City and, more recently, Watford.
Riera only joined Udinese earlier this year after a spell with Galatasaray of Turkey. But the Serie A club’s bosses brought a swift end to his time with them, after he skipped their recent clash with Chievo to play cards in Slovenia.
Believing himself to be the victim of the whole situation, Riera responded by tweeting that Udinese were “the worst club I’ve ever played for”. Nonetheless, he will be looking for a new employer after his contract was cancelled.