Juventus coached banned for 10 months, clubs relegated, points deducted, fines. Another day in Italian football. « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News, supporting the club, the players and the manager
By Tony Attwood
What chance of Robin VP to Juve?
From the moment it was first mooted I thought it unlikely (although as many correspondents to this blog point out, what do I know?), and followed Mr Wenger’s vision that RVP would not fancy Italy. He didn’t say, “too much corruption” but he sort of hinted at it, in that oblique way he has. With a smile.
Anyway the last time I wrote about Juve and how they were kicked out of the top division in Italy over corruption allegations, the site received a number of comments to the effect that it was now widely recognised in Italy that the removed of Juventus from the top division was a plot by Inter Milan, and that Juve were innocent of all charges.
As a way of trying to suggest that Italian football is not corrupt it wasn’t actually very persuasive, but feeling that Italian football scandals are rather like London buses on a good day (in that there will be another one along shortly) I held my peace.
And sure enough, another story did come along. The coach of the current Serie A champions was accused by the Italian Football Federation of failing to report alleged match-fixing involving Siena when he was the manager there in 2010-11. And he’s been found guilty.
The clubs Lecce and Grosseto were found guilty of direct involvement in match-fixing and they were relegated for this season. Former Lecce president Giovanni Semeraro, and former Grosseto president Piero Camilli both got five-year banning orders.
Antonio Conte and his assistant Angelo Alessio both went from Siena to Juventus. Alessio has been banned for eight months, Conte for 10 and Bari defender Nicola Belmonte for six months
One bit of good news, the suggestion that Conte was involved in match-fixing were rejected last month, but the authorities still believe her knew it was taking place during his time with Siena. Hence the 10 month ban.
Juventus have now said they would run an appeal against the bans for Conte and Alessio. Siena whom Conte managed have accepted a six-point deduction in a plea bargain deal. Torino, Varese and Albinoleffe will pay fines of 30,000 euros and have a one point penalty. Novara have two points deducted and Bologna and Ancona have fines.
Hey ho. It makes Man U look quite acceptable. Oh no, hang on a moment.
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