Footballer stages fake helicopter kidnapping in retirement prank

Everybody wants to do something special when they retire.

A nice dinner maybe, or a proper party - normal stuff.

What one player in an Italian football league decided to do for his retirement though sits so far outside what could be considered 'normal' it has to be seen to be believed.

Ignazio Barbagallo, a player for City of Viagrande in the Catanese Third Category, is apparently something of a renowned prankster.

Naturally, he went straight for the classic 'fake kidnapping' prank to really celebrate his imminent retirement from his club.

So how did it go down?

It involved a helicopter landing one one of the worst pitches you'll ever see, and two men in balaclavas.

The masked men make a beeline for Barbagallo, hustling him into the chopper before taking off.

Unfortunately for the club, Barbagallo's stunt did not amuse league officials, who fined the club €200 and, in an ultimately futile gesture, banned Barbagallo until June 30.

City of Viagrande won't be laughing about their ban, though, which will last until the end of May.

The translated reasoning behind the punishment was "For causing the interruption of the race by ordering and allowing the landing of a helicopter on the pitch compromising the safety of those present."

Yahoo Sports Australia