Bảng xếp hạng World Cup

AlamyMagnani Rocca Foundation

---

Paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse worth millions of euros were stolen in a heist on a museum near the Italian city of Parma, police say.

Four masked men entered the Magnani Rocca Foundation villa on 22 March, police said, making off with Les Poissons by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Still Life with Cherries by Paul Cézanne and Odalisque on the Terrace by Henri Matisse.

The gang was in and out in three minutes, Italian media outlets have reported, and was only interrupted by the museum's alarm system, preventing them from stealing more.

The institution is the latest to be subject to a heist, following the brazen daylight robbery of priceless jewels from the Louvre in Paris last October.

The thieves involved in the robbery forced their way through the main door to the Villa dei Capolavori, nestled in the Parma countryside, and nabbed the paintings from the French Room on the building's first floor, Italian media outlets have reported.

The foundation was quoted as saying the gang appeared "structured and organised", and seemed to have intended on stealing more were it not for the private collection's alarms going off and police being called.

The criminals escaped by climbing over a fence, according to regional public broadcaster TGR, which first reported the theft.

It estimated the stolen paintings had a combined worth of €9m (£7.8m), with Les Poissons alone worth €6m - making it one of the most significant art thefts in Italy in recent years.

Renoir was one of the leading painters in the Impressionist movement, and completed the oil-on-canvas Les Poissons around 1917.

The Cézanne, completed around 1890, is one of several cherry-based still-lifes the post-Impressionist painter produced - though this one is rare because it employs watercolour, which he only embraced during the final years of his life, according to the foundation.

Odalisque on the Terrace, painted by Matisse in 1922, depicts two figures - one reclining in the sun while another holds a violin.

The theft is now being investigated by Italy's Carabinieri and the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Bologna. News of the heist was only made public on Sunday.

The Magnani Rocca Foundation was established following the death of Luigi Magnani, a composer and art collector, in 1984 in his family home.

Louvre museum director resigns months after high-profile heist

Everything we know about the Louvre jewellery heist

Louvre Museum crown left crushed but 'intact' after raid

Six-year-old girl's drawing is on Big Issue cover

Blackpool's Monet shows 'culture can thrive in unexpected places'

Planet Parade art trail to launch in city centre

Latin Patriarch will have access to Jerusalem holy site after police stopped entry

The Israeli PM says Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa had been asked not to enter the church over concerns about Iranian strikes.

Italy investigates Sephora and Benefit over marketing skincare to children

The Italian Competition Authority said luxury goods giant LVMH appears to have adopted "particularly insidious" marketing strategies.

Hume rues missed chances as Northern Ireland lose to Italy

Northern Ireland captain Trai Hume speaks to BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews after his side lose their play-off semi-final 2-0 to Italy in Bergamo, bringing their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup to an end.

Tonali and Kean end Northern Ireland's World Cup dreams

Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup are brought to an end, as they're beaten 2-0 by Italy in their World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo, as the home side close in on qualifying for their first World Cup in 12 years.

O'Neill positive about Northern Ireland future despite Italy defeat

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill insists the future is bright for his side after they lose their World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy, as they're beaten 2-0 in Bergamo.