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Jonathan White

Chinese-owned Inter Milan have made history by winning Serie A, becoming the first Chinese-owned side to win one of Europe’s big five leagues and the first foreign-owned side to win the Italian title.
The scudetto was confirmed on Sunday when Atalanta failed to beat Sassuolo, ensuring that Antonio Conte’s team were champions for the first time since 2010.
Suning-owned Inter had beaten Crotone 2-0 on Saturday thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi, ending reigning champions Juventus’ hopes of retaining the title and ensuring Atalanta needed to win.
The title success was greeted by city rivals AC Milan and Juventus on social media, who both shared messages congratulating Inter. Juventus had won Serie A for the last nine seasons.

| I M MILANO

1️⃣9️⃣ ⚫️#IMInter #IMScudetto #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/eqPltatvkN
— Inter (@Inter) May 2, 2021

Inter fans took to the streets of Milan to celebrate, gathering in the shadows of the Duomo cathedral in the city centre.
Club president Steven Zhang, son of Suning owner Zhang Jindong who bought a controlling stake in 2016, was in town too having returned to Italy this week. He spoke of his delight in a statement on the club website.
Chinese-owned Inter Milan unveil controversial rebrand
“It’s emotional, and a special time for everyone involved in this project and who has been with us on this journey,” Zhang said after the title was secured.
Victory for Inter is a historic moment for Chinese-owned overseas football clubs. It is the first time that a majority-owned club has won any of Europe’s “big five” leagues – the English Premier League, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1, Spanish La Liga and the German Bundesliga.
Manchester City, whose City Football Group ownership company has minority Chinese investment, have won the English Premier League several times, while Chinese-owned Slavia Prague have also been Czech champions.

President Steven Zhang at Suning Training Center with the team pic.twitter.com/phCmYJb2bS
— Inter (@Inter_en) April 30, 2021

“Thanks, first of all, to the fans, to those that work with us and obviously to our coach Antonio Conte and to the players, who have worked so hard to bring this title home,” Zhang continued.
“Furthermore, I want to thank the employees and directors, the two managing directors, who have supported me this year and the five years previous. All those who have been a part of this project, who have worked with us not only this year but also in the past. I think that they are all part of this Scudetto and that this title belongs to all of them. A massive thank you to all of them.
“A special thank you to my father and to Massimo Moratti, who has guided me throughout the years, supported me from an emotional and mental standpoint and helped me to understand what Inter is.
Inter Milan doubt as Suning call time on Chinese champions Jiangsu FC
“Last but certainly not least, thanks to the fans, who love sport and this Inter that they follow. I hope that this joy in such a difficult time can bring everybody a bit of positive energy.
“It’s a special day. Speaking with the players after the win against Crotone, I told them that I almost couldn’t have imagined that this would happen.
“We’re here thanks to some really hard work in recent months and years. There are no words in reality and in my experience that I can use to describe all of this.

C H A M P I O N S! ⚫#IMScudetto #IMInter #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/HUerjRIweT
— Inter (@Inter_en) May 2, 2021

“To our fans throughout the world, in Milan and in Italy, this Scudetto is for you. It is dedicated to you and we hope that it brings you joy and hope. We hope that this shows the value of hard work.
“The future of Inter, of the project and of the Inter world is the same as it has been for 100 years and it will always be this way. Our objective is to spread positive energy, hope, inclusivity and innovative ideas to the people that follow us.
“It’s not important if you’re an Inter fan, a football aficionado or even if you’re not a big sports fan; everything that we do, our message and our project will have these values.”
Inter owners Suning lose China Serie A broadcast rights: report
Zhang also marked the win on China’s Twitter-like Weibo.
“Inter win the Serie A title,” he wrote. “We never gave up even at a time when the pandemic was still ongoing! These are the Nerazzurri colours. They bring us hope and light. We can be proud to say, FC Internazionale Milano, we are champions!”
Zhang was seen speaking to the players at the training ground in midweek as they closed in on the title.

Inter fans celebrate the club winning its first Scudetto in 11 years pic.twitter.com/Tn8Ixn4O4n
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 2, 2021

However, the president is also in town to secure the investment in the club that has been touted all season.
The Italian giant’s finances have been questioned for months after the troubles of their owners back home, in large part due to the impact of Covid-19. The club also has mounting debts.
Italian media reported that the players will forego bonuses for winning the title to help their owners and there is speculation on the future of the players and coach Conte.
Inter Milan boss Conte fears Chinese owners will sack him after Europa League loss
Retail giant Suning has had to raise funds to stay in business and streamlined all of its noncore businesses, including football.
Their Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning won the CSL title for the first time last November but ceased to exist in the close season as Suning cut funding.


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Italian Serie A

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Inter Milan supporters celebrate the club’s Serie A title win at Piazza Duomo in Milan. Photo: AFP

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Jiangsu Suning's Alex Teixeira (left) and teammate Eder celebrate winning the Chinese Super League final against Guangzhou Evergrande in November, 2020. The club have “ceased operations”. Photo: AFP

Tottenham's Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during an English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, Feb. 28. 2021. (Daniel Leal Olivas/Pool via AP)

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 12, 2020 shows Jiangsu Suning players and staff members celebrating after their team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to win the Chinese Super League (CSL) football championship in Suzhou in China's eastern Jiangsu province. - Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu FC have "ceased operations", the club said on February 28, 2021, underlining the financial problems coursing through football in the country. (Photo by STR / AFP) / - China OUT

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 12, 2020 shows Jiangsu Suning's head coach Cosmin Olaroiu (C) celebrating after their team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to win the Chinese Super League (CSL) football championship in Suzhou in China's eastern Jiangsu province. - Three months after winning the Chinese Super League for the first time, Jiangsu FC, previously known as Jiangsu Suning, are unravelling amid reports of financial difficulties, the loss of their coach and a possible player exodus. (Photo by STR / AFP)

Inter Milan doubt as Suning call time on Chinese champions Jiangsu FC

Jiangsu Suning players celebrate with the Chinese Super League trophy in November, 2020. The club has ceased operations, owners Suning said. Photo: Xinhua

Concerns for Inter Milan as Suning to ‘focus on retail’

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku wears a special edition shirt featuring his name written in Chinese to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the club’s game against Lazio. Photo: Reuters

Inter Milan owners Suning lose China Serie A broadcast rights: report

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku in action in the win over Fiorentina. Photo: Reuters

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Callum Wilson, of Newcastle United, kisses the television camera after scoring in his side’s 3-1 win over Burnley in the English Premier League in October 2020. Photo: EPA

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 24, 2020 a television broadcast camera operator works ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England. - The Premier League announced on September 17, 2020, that it had agreed a new broadcast deal in China for the rest of the season with Tencent Sports. The previous agreement with PPTV was terminated after a dispute over a missed payment. Viewers in China will have access to all the remaining 372 matches of England's top-flight football league from this weekend, the league said. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in bet

Sport

Football


Suning-owned side beat nine times in-a-row champions Juventus to first scudetto since 2010 but still face financial struggles
President Steven Zhang calls win an ‘emotional journey’, which he dedicates to the fans



Suning-owned side beat nine times in-a-row winners Juventus to first scudetto since 2010 but still face financial struggles.


Chinese Super League

Inter Milan become first Chinese-owned club to win a ‘big five’ league

Suning-owned side beat nine times in-a-row champions Juventus to first scudetto since 2010 but still face financial struggles President Steven Zhang calls win an ‘emotional journey’, which he dedicates to the fans

Suning-owned side beat nine times in-a-row champions Juventus to first scudetto since 2010 but still face financial struggles

President Steven Zhang calls win an ‘emotional journey’, which he dedicates to the fans