Italy - Shame

[mrbojangles]

Below is from yesterday's Skysports. But this mornings news is that the trial starts today and it is expected that Juventus could get the biggest punishment by being relegated to division 3, out of Europe and points deducted.

Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina could get less severe punishment. Whatever, i think there are going to be alot of bargains to be had, as players don't want to play in the lower divisions. Excellent, the cheating gits.

I'll post more as it comes out.

The biggest sporting trial in modern times looks set to get underway in Italy on Thursday, as Juventus, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina stand trial over referee-fixing allegations.

Twenty six other members of the footballing fraternity, including referees and club officials, will also face questions at the offices of the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The charges relate to a taped phone conversation between Juve general manager Luciano Moggi (pictured) and a senior Italian footballing official discussing referee appointments.

The intense media spotlight on the situation has somewhat overshadowed the Italian national side's progress to the quarter finals of the World Cup, particularly with a number of Azzurri players' futures dependent on the outcome.

Verdicts are expected to be delivered between July 7 and July 9, and the teams are expected to be relegated if found guilty.

The Federal Appeal Commission will oversee the proceedings with Judge Cesare Ruperto taking overall control.

[rainman]

there will probably be XX ghost games and financial penalties, but no relegation ...

[thankuverybig]

i used to go & watch arsenal when liam brady,malcom mcdonald etc were playing & it seemed like there was more team spirit (& probably a lot of other spirits) in those days.it just seemed that football was a bit more wholesome in those days.

today it seems to feel a bit too much about money.

maybe its just that today,the press are just looking for the dirt & the story better than in those days.

[mrbojangles]

there will probably be XX ghost games and financial penalties, but no relegation ...

Not too sure about that. The indications are that Juventus will have the book thrown at them and possibly be dropped to division 3, with the others being dropped at least 1 division.

P.S. What's a "ghost game"

[rainman]

ghost game = no spectators

[mrbojangles]

ghost game = no spectators

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, now i get it. No, i don't think that will happen. Not severe enough for the alleged crime and charges.

[mrbojangles]

Latest news from The Sun, on the cheating gits

ITALIAN football will hold its breath until Monday after the trial into match-fixing allegations was postponed.

The sporting tribunal was due to open in Rome today with Serie A giants Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio at the heart of the scandal.

But the Federal Appeal Court (CAF), which is hearing the case, has accepted requests from five Serie B clubs to delay the proceedings.

CAF president Cesare Ruperto said: "We've received a request for postponement from five third parties involved — Bologna, Messina, Lecce, Treviso and Brescia.

"We believe that request for a postponement should be accepted."

Along with the country's top clubs, 26 senior officials are expected to give evidence when the trial begins.

[mrbojangles]

Well, it looks there will be some cheap players up for sale. Italy took this very seriously.

From sky sports http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=40...,+Milan+stay+up

Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina have been relegated to Serie B following the outcome of the Italian match-fixing scandal, but Milan will stay in the top flight.

Turin giants Juventus have also been stripped of the last two Serie A titles the team have won, been fined €80,000 (£50,000) and have also been handed a 30-point deduction for next season.

Joining the Old Lady in Serie B are Lazio, who have been docked seven points for next season, and Fiorentina, who have been hit with a 12-point penalty.

Milan have avoided demotion to the second tier of Italian football, although they have been penalised 15 points for next term.

In addition, the Rossoneri will not take part in the coming campaign's UEFA Champions League after being docked 44 points from last season's total.

The punishments mean that Italy will need to find three new entrants for Champions League participation due to the sanctions against Fiorentina, Juventus and Milan.

Several officials have also been hit hard following the verdict in the match-fixing scandal which arose after allegations that Juventus tried to arrange the appointment of referees.

Former Juve general manager Luciano Moggi has been banned from the game for five years - the same penalty meted out to Antonio Giraudo.

Ex-Italian Football Federation president Franco Carraro has been suspended for four years and six months - the same length of time which referee Massimo De Sanctis has been banned for.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has been banned for 12 months, Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle for four years and Lazio supremo Claudio Lotito for three years.

The scandal has rocked Italian football and has taken the gloss off the national team's recent World Cup victory, with some having called for leniency.

But Italian Federation Commission judge Cesare Ruperto (pictured) has come down hard on the clubs involved, with the punishments possibly seeing a mass exodus from those concerned.

Juventus could lose the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the 30-point penalty making an immediate return to Serie A a tough ask.

Fiorentina will face a fight to hang on to the likes of Luca Toni, while Lazio full back Massimo Oddo is expected to be in demand.

The lack of European football at Milan could also witness Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, among others, move on to pastures new.

All four clubs are expected to appeal against the verdicts, but as things stand Internazionale and Roma would qualify automatically for next term's Champions League.

Chievo Verona and Palermo would enter at the preliminary stage, while Livorno, Empoli and Parma would go into the Uefa Cup.

There will also be a reprieve for Messina, Lecce and Treviso, who had initially been relegated last season, although there is a new inquiry relating to the former-named club.

[marshbags]

Where any of the footballers in on this scandal as it took place.

I,d have thought Fifa would have taken action on the situation before the world cup, if players are part of the situation, owing to the seriousness of what has unfolded.

Temp. suspensions until investigated possibly as in serious incidents in athletics, ect.

Football fans will once again suffer because of greed and corruption, which is very sad.

Which ever country it happens in has nothing to do with my personal thoughts and................................

my post is not racially motivated by the way.

marshbags

[redrus]

Sky Sports; Patrick Vieira is reportedly a target for Internazionale and Manchester United, while French team-mate David Trezeguet is being chased by Lyon.

The Daily Star reported yesterday that Juve may loan out their top stars for the two seasons they're expected to be down, Viera going to United.

redrus

[mrbojangles]

Viera going to United.

After the way he played in the world cup, you can have him Red, it'll do us all a favour

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Sky Sports; Patrick Vieira is reportedly a target for Internazionale and Manchester United, while French team-mate David Trezeguet is being chased by Lyon.

The Daily Star reported yesterday that Juve may loan out their top stars for the two seasons they're expected to be down, Viera going to United.

redrus

How old will Viera be in 2 years?

I think players that go anywhere for 2 seasons may form an attachment to those clubs and not want to go back...

EDIT: What's happening with the Football forum?

[tigerbeer]

didn't realize the verdict would be out this fast. guess its a big "sale" going on that they had to get on with it. no jail sentences? hmmm..

any news on Buffon?

[redrus]

Viera going to United.

After the way he played in the world cup, you can have him Red, it'll do us all a favour

Quick, to the decline mobile, BredBlue's back...............

redrus

[chonabot]

Toni , Thuram and Zebina are being linked with Spurs.......

[redrus]

Toni , Thuram and Zebina are being linked with Spurs.......

So am I.........., I might turn up though....!

redrus

[Sing_Sling]

Toni , Thuram and Zebina are being linked with Spurs.......

Toni wasn't that impressive, but Thuram and Zebina should be a welcome addition!

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Toni , Thuram and Zebina are being linked with Spurs.......

Toni wasn't that impressive, but Thuram and Zebina should be a welcome addition!

I think with Spurs it never matters who they sign - Spurs remain crap. I don't mean anything derogatory about that - just that they must be the most under-achieving team in the Premiership.