Liverpool FC Forum

by **Judge** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:21 am

BBC news clip 14/7/06

Italy awaits match-fixing verdict

AC Milan, Fiorentina, Juventus and Lazio are implicated
The fate of the four teams embroiled in Italy's match-fixing scandal is expected to be revealed later today.
Juventus, Lazio, AC Milan and Fiorentina have been accused of influencing referee appointments and could be relegated from Serie A.

Juve face the most serious charges and the Turin club could also be stripped of their last two league titles.

Once the verdict is announced, the clubs will have three days to appeal to the Federal Court.

The FIGC must hand Uefa the lists of teams which will be involved in European competitions by 25 July.

The national side's World Cup triumph in a penalty shoot-out against France has sparked calls for leniency.

"Let's do what they did in ancient Rome: whoever has given us prestige and dignity should be treated differently, as one who has done something exemplary," said Italy's Justice Minister Clemente Mastella.

Former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, owner of AC Milan, argued: "We can't penalise the fans. The individuals should be punished, not the clubs.

"Let's leave the players and the fans out of it and hit those who are really responsible, the executives and the referees.

"But with a serious and fair trial, different to what we are witnessing.

"I am against relegation and I don't speak just as president of Milan.

I believe the disciplinary procedure should have no connection with the victory

Francesco Borrelli,
FIGC chief investigator

"Should Juve be relegated it would hinder other clubs that would lose the revenue they take when they play against a team like Juventus.

"One also has to think of the damage this would create to sponsors and televisions companies that have signed contracts with these clubs."

However, FIGC chief investigator Francesco Borrelli said there will be no amnesty granted.

"I believe the disciplinary procedure should have no connection with the victory," said Borrelli.

"If we say that a victory should lead to indulgence, then surely a defeat would have brought more extreme measures of severity.

"We are therefore talking about two different things."

Local media speculated that the tribunal's rulings could even come as late as Friday or Saturday, allowing Italians more time to revel in Sunday's penalty shoot-out win over France.

The tribunal in Rome is investigating charges that the clubs, their management, football officials and referees tried to influence the outcome of matches by interfering with the appointment of officials.

In May transcripts were published of telephone conversations between former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and Italian Football Association officials, discussing refereeing appointments in the 2004-05 season.

FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi also charged 26 individuals for sporting fraud and violating fairness and probity.

The prosecutor has called for Juventus to be relegated to the third division, the other three teams to be demoted to the second division and for all four teams to be docked points next season.

The judge could also hand out fines, bans from European competitions, points deductions as well as relegation and the stripping of titles.

The four clubs have denied the accusations.

A lawyer for Juventus said on Wednesday the club might agree to relegation to Italy's second division, if found guilty.

But the club have warned interested parties they are determined to hold on to as many players as they can despite the possibility of life in a lower division.

I will wait for the sentence by the sports tribunal before making a decision - now is not the time

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon on his future

Thirteen of Italy's World Cup-winning squad play for the clubs involved, with five at the Bianconeri, who also number Patrick Vieira, Lilian Thuram, David Trezeguet, Pavel Nedved and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks.

Juve sporting director Alessio Secco warned: "We want everyone to be well aware that we are not a supermarket.

"Of course, it's not easy. We have received so many offers, especially from abroad.

"It's better not to make too many changes and to have a strong squad, even if it's more costly than having to re-construct it later on.

"To make money now is not our priority."

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who joined the Turin club for a world record £33m fee for a goalkeeper, is one player heavily tipped to leave Juve.

"I will wait for the sentence by the sports tribunal before making a decision," he said. "Now is not the time."

by **adamnbarrett** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:47 am

The verdict will be announced at 6pm (english time).

by **LFC #1** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:56 am

Juve will go to Serie B, the rest will be let off.

by **dawson99** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:28 am

LFC #1 wrote:Juve will go to Serie B, the rest will be let off.

Yep, thats definately what ive ehard as well. the juve lawyer has even been quoted as saying he wont fight any decision if juve go down a league

by **LFC #1** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:57 am

dawson99 wrote:
LFC #1 wrote:Juve will go to Serie B, the rest will be let off.

Yep, thats definately what ive ehard as well. the juve lawyer has even been quoted as saying he wont fight any decision if juve go down a league

Juve are already planning for Serie B, the've said so themselves. They'll probably come straight back up anyway, and they plan to loan out their best players, thus removing the wages but not the player.

If they get relegated to Serie C they will be fukd.

by **adamnbarrett** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:09 pm

Reports from SSN are saying that Fiorentina, Juventus and Lazio will all be relegated to Serie B and will start with -20 points. AC Milan will apperently stay in Serie A but will start with -15 points. All clubs involved will not be allowed to participate in Europe this season. They say this will have financial implications so clubs will have to sell.

Nothing will be confirmed until 6pm.

by **LFC #1** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:10 pm

Inter and Roma must be loving this.

by **dawson99** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:48 pm

what will this mean for champions league? we might not have to qualify at all again

by **LFC #1** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:00 pm

The Italian clubs directly below them will take their place. If all four are banned form Europe then Inter (would have already been there), Roma, Chievo and Palermo will take the CL spots.

by **112-1077774096** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:09 pm

i read the general consensus in italy is that juventus, fiorentina and lazio will go down, and ac milan will stay in serie a but will be kicked out the champions league

by **red37** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:38 pm

thats what will happen.

by **dawson99** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:46 pm

ac milan should be kickde out too though surely

by **adamnbarrett** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:17 pm

SSN are now saying that the verdict may be delayed until 8pm or even until tomorrow morning.

by **El Nino_#9** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:59 pm

thats gay.

by **dward** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:37 pm

it says 7pm on bbc

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