Former AC Milan striker Christian Vieri has slammed the sacking of director Paolo Maldini - though says he isn't surprised.

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale sacked Maldini and fellow football director Ricky Massara on Monday.

In reaction, Vieri told Bobo TV: "If Maldini leaves, it is because the club won't put in a euro. Surely this Cardinale is crazy if he makes Maldini leave, but we the crazy we see football every day, in 30 years I have met the most fake people possible.

"Nothing surprises me, this is football, words are worth nothing. The fans rightly asked for reinforcements yesterday, the stadium was full even though the match didn't count for anything.

"Last year Milan won the Scudetto, this year they reached the semifinals of the Champions League: if I were a Cardinale, I'd tell Maldini to sign for ten years."