Roma's Chris Smalling forced to open home safe by armed robbers - reports

The criminals broke in on Friday morning and forced the footballer to open a safe, which contained watches and jewellery, according to Italian media reports

Chris Smalling, pictured in 2017 while playing for Manchester United, is currently injured and missed Roma's Europa League quarter-final win over Ajax. AFP

Roma's former England defender Chris Smalling was threatened by three armed burglars at his home in the Italian capital in the early hours of Friday, Italian media reported.

The criminals broke in at around 5am on Friday morning and forced the footballer to open a safe, which contained watches and jewellery, the ANSA and AGI agencies reported.

Smalling was in his Rome home with his wife and son and other family members, ANSA said.

Smalling is injured and did not play in Thursday night's home 1-1 Europa League tie against Ajax, which saw the Giallorossi qualify for the semi-finals where they will meet Smalling's former club Manchester United.

Roma, contacted by AFP, did not respond.

In the autumn, Roma coach Paulo Fonseca and Lazio Rome player Joaquin Correa were victims of burglaries while they were away with their teams.