Wages of sin is...missing England games

Jesus pays the wages

Italian PM and AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has boosted his reputation for modesty by comparing himself to Jesus Christ.

Telling supporters that he was the Jesus 'of politics', Berlusconi is now on a hat-trick of verbal gaffes this week, after likening himself to midget military genius Napoleon just a day before.

Silvio probably figures that it doesn't matter much – given that he's worth an estimated $16bn and owns most of Italy's media.

But football is where this PM's real love lies.

Silvio's Champions League final chokers AC Milan is home to a bumper crop of overpaid, sulky stars soon to be seen in a World Cup near you.

When the PM's not running Europe, he's waxing lyrical about his beloved Rossoneri.

Brazil's Kaka, Cafu and Amoroso all ply their trade at AC, as do Italian and Dutch stars Filippo 'Who said dive?' Inzaghi and human brick Jaap Stam.

Everyone can now travel to Germany knowing that Jesus has got their backs, or at least their pay slips.