Reuters/Milan
Promoted Atalanta had six points deducted and their captain, former Italy international Cristiano Doni, was suspended for three-and-a-half years yesterday by the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) over alleged match-fixing.
Retired former Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was banned for five years from any football-related activity, the FIGC added in a statement. They were among 17 individuals suspended for between one and five years and an equal number of clubs, all except Atalanta outside the top division, to have points deducted or be fined in the betting scandal.
The federation said Atalanta’s punishment will take effect for the coming season, meaning the team will begin their first campaign back in the top flight with minus six points when Serie A kicks off at the end of this month.
Serie B team Ascoli will also have six points deducted while third division Alessandria Calcio were demoted.
The clubs and individuals were cited by the FIGC’s sporting prosecutor following a criminal investigation into a betting scam which had initially centred on 18 games in the second tier Serie B and Italy’s lower divisions.
Police said they had found evidence of an organised system among former and current footballers, sports betting operators and others to manipulate the results of a number of soccer matches.
They said bets worth tens of thousands of euros, and in some cases hundreds of thousands, had been placed on matches.
The investigation was triggered by a Serie B match in Cremona last season which aroused suspicions that led to a wider probe.
Atalanta are likely to appeal the decision with a hearing expected before the new Serie A season kicks off.
Fellow top flight side Chievo avoided any points penalty after paying a fine following a plea bargain earlier in the process.
Italian soccer had only just recovered from a 2006 match-fixing scandal which led Juventus to be demoted to Serie B.
Kasprowicz joins Cricket Australia board
SYDNEY: Former Test bowler Michael Kasprowicz was yesterday named as a member of the Cricket Australia board, replacing Matthew Hayden who is coming out of retirement to play in the Twenty20 Big Bash.
Kasprowicz, Queensland’s all-time leading wicket-taker, will step down as the Australian Cricketers’ Association president to take on the role.
“It’s a great honour to be approached to join the Board and I’m looking forward to doing the best I can for Australian cricket in the coming months,” said the 39-year-old.
“There are some big decisions ahead for the game and I am keen to ensure we do our absolute best to help our game grow and prosper.”
Kasprowicz, who claimed 113 wickets in 38 Tests for Australia, retired from first class cricket in 2007-08.