2011–12 Italian football scandal

The 2011 Italian football scandal emerged on 1 June 2011 after a number of football-related figures were arrested, or made under official scrutiny, by Italian police for alleged matchfixing.[1][2] The list included also well-known figures as former Italian international footballer Giuseppe Signori, as well as former Serie A players Mauro Bressan, Stefano Bettarini and Atalanta veteran striker Cristiano Doni.[2] The group was accused of having fixed a wide range of Serie B, Lega Pro Prima Divisione and Lega Pro Seconda Divisione games.

The inquiry started following a denunciation from Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Cremonese, instigated by internal suspicions involving first team goalkeeper Marco Paoloni, who was successively sold to Benevento in January 2011.[2]

The scandal is also known as Operation: Last Bet, Calcio Scommesse ("Football Bet") or Scommessopoli ("Bet City").

First investigation, June 2011

Involved figures

Interestingly, some of the involved persons were already been inquiried or condemned for similar charges: Cristiano Doni was acquitted in 2000, whereas Vincenzo Sommese (in 2007) and Stefano Bettarini (in 2005) were disqualified for six months due to illegal betting.

Potential consequences

Following the inquiries and its direct developments, media speculated about the possibility that Atalanta and Siena might lose their right to play Serie A in 2011–12. Atalanta's situation is considered particularly delicate due to the direct involvement of Cristiano Doni in the matchfixing process, whereas Siena is accused of having paid Sassuolo players in order to obtain a win by more than three goals (game ended 4–0); Sassuolo itself, together with Ascoli, Padova and Piacenza, are also mentioned in the inquiry, and might be punished by the Federation due to the so-called "objective responsibility" law.[3]

First-degree sentences

On 9 August 2011, the Italian Football Federation announced the first-degree charges for all involved parties in the scandal.[4]

Clubs

People

Appeal

The Corte di Giustizia Federale of Italian Football Federation announced the following appeal.

Court of Final Appeal

The Tribunale Nazionale di Arbitrato per lo Sport of Italian National Olympic Committee announced the following final appeal.

Juve Stabia – Sorrento match-fixing

On 11 October 2011, as part of betting investigation, FIGC announced the ban for match-fixing of Juve Stabia – Sorrento on 5 April 2009. The case was referred to FIGC by Naples criminal court.[8]

Sentences

Club

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF) Final Appeal (TNAS)
S.S. Juve Stabia 5-point deduction in the 2011–12 season. 3-point deduction Rejected[9]
Sorrento Calcio 2-point deduction in the 2011–12 season, plus €20,000 fine.

People

Name Sentences (CDN)[10] Appeal (CGF)[11] Final Appeal (TNAS)
Amodio, RobertoRoberto Amodio 3-year ban from football activities Rejected Rejected
Cristian Biancone 3-year-6-month ban from football activities
Antonino Castellano 1-year ban from football activities Rejected
Spadavecchia, VitangeloVitangelo Spadavecchia 3-year-3-month ban from football activities Rejected Rejected[12]

Second investigation, December 2011

On 19 December 2011, a new police operation coordinated by the Magistrature of Cremona led to a number of high-profile arrests, including active and former footballers such as Cristiano Doni, Luigi Sartor, Alessandro Zamperini, Nicola Santoni, Carlo Gervasoni and Filippo Carobbio. The inquiry started after Gubbio defender Simone Farina denounced a matchfixing attempt from Zamperini (a former teammate of him at Roma), with following investigation leading the police to unveil a complex gambling system involving criminal figures in Singapore, Eastern Europe and Italy with interest in fixing football games from all over Europe.[13]

The scandal then dramatically evolved a few months later: on 28 May 2012, a number of higher-profile players were involved, and the Cremone Magistrature went on to arrest Lazio vice-captain Stefano Mauri, former Genoa captain Omar Milanetto, Cristian Bertani, Paolo Acerbis, Matteo Gritti, Alessandro Pellicori, Ivan Tisci and Marco Turati, whereas José Joelson Inácio was put under house arrest and Kewullay Conteh and Francesco Ruopolo were forbidden to leave the country.[14][15] More football figures were also put under investigation: among these, Juventus Serie A-winning head coach Antonio Conte (due to alleged failure to report attempted sporting fraud during his period as Siena manager), former Milan star Kakha Kaladze, Genoa striker Giuseppe Sculli (for whom the judge rejected an arrest request), Chievo striker Sergio Pellissier and Italian international Domenico Criscito who was training at Coverciano with the Azzurri team at the time, and was excluded from the UEFA Euro 2012 roster as a consequence.[15]

Shortly after the latest arrests, Premier Mario Monti publicly suggested that football competition in the country be suspended for at least two years. He indicated that this was his personal opinion, not a formal government proposal.[16] The manager of the Italian national team, Cesare Prandelli, said he "would have no problem" if his side were barred from Euro 2012 in the wake of the scandal.[17]

Sentences

The National Discipline Commission (CDN) of Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced the first-degree charges for some involved parties in the scandal, on 31 May[18] and 18 June.[19] On 6 July 2012 "Corte di Giustizia Federale" of FIGC announced the appeal ruling.[20]

Clubs

Appeal

People

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF) Final Appeal (TNAS)
Alberti, AndreaAndrea Alberti 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed Acquitted[21]
Bellodi, MirkoMirko Bellodi 2-year ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Caremi, DavideDavide Caremi 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed Dismissed[22]
Carobbio, FilippoFilippo Carobbio 1-year-8-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Cassano, MarioMario Cassano 5-year ban from football activities Dismissed Dismissed[23]
Catinali, EdoardoEdoardo Catinali 9-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Cellini, MarcoMarco Cellini 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Colacone, RobertoRoberto Colacone 4-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Comazzi, AlbertoAlberto Comazzi 4-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Conteh, KewullayKewullay Conteh 1-year-8-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Cossato, FedericoFederico Cossato 3-year-6-month ban from football activities —
Cristante, FilippoFilippo Cristante 3-year ban from football activities Dismissed
De Falco, AndreaAndrea De Falco 6-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Franco De Falco 3-year-9-month ban from football activities 1-year ban from football activities and €30,000 fine 1-year ban from football activities [24]
De Lucia, AlfonsoAlfonso De Lucia 5-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Doni, CristianoCristiano Doni 2-year ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Ferrari, NicolaNicola Ferrari 3-year ban from football activities Dismissed 6-month ban from football activities (immediate release)[25][26]
Fissore, RiccardoRiccardo Fissore 3-year-9-month ban from football activities Dismissed 14-month ban from football activities[27]
Fiuzzi, LucaLuca Fiuzzi 4-year ban from football activities Dismissed 1-year ban from football activities[28]
Fontana, Alberto MariaAlberto Maria Fontana 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed Acquitted[29]
Garlini, RubenRuben Garlini 3-year ban from football activities Dismissed — [30]
Gervasoni, CarloCarlo Gervasoni 1-year-8-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Andrea Iaconi 3-year-9-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Iacopino, VincenzoVincenzo Iacopino 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Italiano, VincenzoVincenzo Italiano 3-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Job, ThomasThomas Job 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed Acquitted[31]
Locatelli, TomasTomas Locatelli 2-year ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Giuseppe Magalini 3-year-3-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Mastronunzio, SalvatoreSalvatore Mastronunzio 4-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Micolucci, VittorioVittorio Micolucci 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Mora, NicolaNicola Mora 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Narciso, AntonioAntonio Narciso 1-year-3-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Nassi, MaurizioMaurizio Nassi 3-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Nicco, GianlucaGianluca Nicco 3-year ban from football activities 1-year ban from football activities and €30,000 fine
Paoloni, MarcoMarco Paoloni 4-year ban from football activities —
Gianfranco Parlato 2-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Passoni, DarioDario Passoni 1-year-2-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Pederzoli, AlexAlex Pederzoli 1-year-4-month ban from football activities and €10,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Poloni, MircoMirco Poloni 1-year ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Rickler, CesareCesare Rickler 4-year ban from football activities Dismissed 14-month ban from football activities[32]
Gianni Rosati 3-year-3-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Ruopolo, FrancescoFrancesco Ruopolo 1-year-4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Santoni, NicolaNicola Santoni 5-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Santoruvo, VincenzoVincenzo Santoruvo Disqualification for 6 match-day —
Sartor, LuigiLuigi Sartor 5-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Sbaffo, AlessandroAlessandro Sbaffo 1-year-4-month ban from football activities and €100,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Serafini, MattiaMattia Serafini 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Stefani, MirkoMirko Stefani 4-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Tamburini, JuriJuri Tamburini 10-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Vantaggiato, DanieleDaniele Vantaggiato 3-year ban from football activities Dismissed
Ventola, NicolaNicola Ventola 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Dismissed
Zamperini, AlessandroAlessandro Zamperini 5-year ban from football activities Dismissed

Sentences - September

On 18 June 2012, FIGC announced that the discipline action against the following players were suspended due to criminal body had started the legal process, the committee resumed the action in September.[33]

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF)
Acerbis, PaoloPaolo Acerbis 2-year-6-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Bertani, CristianCristian Bertani
Joelson, Joelson 2-year-6-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Pellicori, AlessandroAlessandro Pellicori
Turati, MarcoMarco Turati

Third investigation, March 2012

Followed by the intensive interrogation since March 2012, the authority of Bari and Cremona had referred several players, coaches and clubs to Italian Football Federation for discipline action as the third lot of operation. This included Antonio Conte, by-then Siena coach, Italian internationals Leonardo Bonucci, by-then Bari player, Simone Pepe, by-then Udinese player, Marco Di Vaio, by-then Bologna player.[34]

On 1 August, Conte's plea bargain was rejected.[35] On 10 August 2012 Pepe, Bonucci, Di Vaio and 3 other players as well as Udinese were acquitted.[36] The prosecutor appealed for the innocent of Pepe, Bonucci, Di Vaio and others except Daniele Padelli and Conte also appealed for the ban, however both rejected by the judge. However, Grosseto and the president of the club Piero Camilli were acquitted.[37]

Sentences

Clubs – Cremona line

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF)
U.C. AlbinoLeffe 1-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €30,000 fine. — (plea bargain)
A.C. Ancona (under liquidation) €10,000 fine —
U.S. Grosseto F.C. Relegation to 2012–13 Lega Pro Prima Divisione. acquitted
Novara Calcio 2-point deduction in the 2012–13 season. 1-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €20,000 fine.
A.C. Siena 6-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €20,000 fine. — (plea bargain)
Torino F.C. 1-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €30,000 fine. — (plea bargain)
A.S. Varese 1910 1-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €30,000 fine. — (plea bargain)

Clubs – Bari line

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF) Final Appeal (TNAS)
A.S. Bari 5-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €80,000 fine. — (plea bargain)
Bologna F.C. 1909 €30,000 fine Rejected
U.S. Lecce Relegation to 2012–13 Lega Pro Prima Divisione, plus €30,000 fine. Rejected Relegation[38]
Calcio Portogruaro Summaga €5,000 fine — (plea bargain)
U.C. Sampdoria 1-point deduction in the 2012–13 season, plus €30,000 fine. — (plea bargain)[39]
A.C. Siena €80,000 fine — (plea bargain)

People – Cremona line

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF) Final Appeal (TNAS)
Alessio, AngeloAngelo Alessio 8-month ban from football activities 6-month ban from football activities 2-month ban from football activities[40]
Bertani, CristianCristian Bertani 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Rejected 3-year ban from football activities[41]
Bombardini, DavideDavide Bombardini 6-month ban from football activities —
Piero Camilli 5-year ban from football activities Acquitted
Carobbio, FilippoFilippo Carobbio 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Cassano, MarioMario Cassano 9-month ban from football activities Rejected Rejected[42]
Catinali, EdoardoEdoardo Catinali 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Rejected 5-month ban from football activities[43]
Conte, AntonioAntonio Conte 10-month ban from football activities Partially acquitted, remained 10-month ban[44] 4-month ban from football activities[45]
Coppola, FerdinandoFerdinando Coppola 6-month ban from football activities Rejected 4-month ban from football activities[46]
Costa Júnior, Angelo daAngelo da Costa Júnior 3-month ban from football activities and €30,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Giorgio D'Urbano 5 month and 10 day ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Drascek, DavideDavide Drascek 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Rejected 2-month ban from football activities (immediate release)[47]
Daniele Faggiano 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Garlini, RubenRuben Garlini 9-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)[30]
Gervasoni, CarloCarlo Gervasoni 3-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Gheller, MavilloMavillo Gheller 6-month ban from football activities Rejected acquitted [48]
Larrondo, MarceloMarcelo Larrondo 3 month and 20 day ban from football activities and €30,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Passoni, DarioDario Passoni 6 month and 15 day ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Pellicori, AlessandroAlessandro Pellicori 3-year ban from football activities Rejected
Pesoli, EmanueleEmanuele Pesoli 3-year ban from football activities Rejected 10-month ban from football activities[49]
Poloni, MircoMirco Poloni 6-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Sala, LuigiLuigi Sala 2-year ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Marco Savorani 5 month and 10 day ban from football activities and €30,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Stellini, CristianCristian Stellini 2-year ban from football activities and €50,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Terzi, ClaudioClaudio Terzi 3-year-6-month ban from football activities Rejected 7-month ban from football activities[50]
Vitiello, RobertoRoberto Vitiello 4-year ban from football activities Rejected 9-month ban from football activities[51]

People – Bari line

Name Sentences (CDN) Appeal (CGF) Final Appeal (TNAS)
Guido Angelozzi 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Bellavista, AntonioAntonio Bellavista 4-year ban from football activities —
Belmonte, NicolaNicola Belmonte 6-month ban from football activities Rejected 4-month ban from football activities[52]
Bentivoglio, SimoneSimone Bentivoglio 1-year-1-month ban from football activities and €50,000 fine[53] — (plea bargain)
Carobbio, FilippoFilippo Carobbio 2-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Esposito, MarcoMarco Esposito 3 month and 10 day ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Gervasoni, CarloCarlo Gervasoni 1-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Guberti, StefanoStefano Guberti 3-year ban from football activities Rejected Rejected[54]
Masiello, AndreaAndrea Masiello 2-year-2-month ban from football activities and €30,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Mutti, BortoloBortolo Mutti 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Parisi, AlessandroAlessandro Parisi 2-year ban from football activities and €10,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Portanova, DanieleDaniele Portanova 6-month ban from football activities Rejected 4-month ban from football activities[55]
Rossi, MarcoMarco Rossi 1-year-8-month ban from football activities and €20,000 fine — (plea bargain)
Pierandrea Semeraro 5-year ban from football activities Rejected 4-year ban from football activities[38]
Marcello Sanfelice 4-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)
Stellini, CristianCristian Stellini 6-month ban from football activities — (plea bargain)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Italy: Giuseppe Signori held in football fixing probe". BBC Sport. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 "Italy: Giuseppe Signori held in football fixing probe". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  3. ↑ "Atalanta, addio serie A? Ecco tutti i club che rischiano" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  4. ↑ "Scommesse: Atalanta -6 in A Doni, 3 anni e 6 mesi di stop" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "CGF: prosciolti Fabbri, Manfredini e lo Spezia, -6 al Benevento". Figc.it. 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  6. ↑ "CORTE DI GIUSTIZIA FEDERALE SEZIONI UNITE" (PDF) (in Italian). figc.it. 2011-09-18. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  7. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/533_A.pdf
  8. ↑ "Scommesse: deferite Juve Stabia, Sorrento e quattro tesserati" (in Italian). FIGC. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Tribunale Nazionale di Arbitrato per lo Sport" (PDF) (in Italian). coni.it. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  10. ↑ "Comunicato Ufficiale N°23/CDN (2011–12)" (PDF). Commissione disciplinare nazionale (in Italian) (FIGC). 11 October 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  11. ↑ http://www.figc.it/Assets/contentresources_2/ContenutoGenerico/35.$plit/C_2_ContenutoGenerico_30389_StrilloComunicatoUfficiale_lstAllegati_Allegato_0_upfAllegato.pdf
  12. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/arbitrati2012/565_A.pdf
  13. ↑ "Calcioscommesse, 17 nuovi arresti In manette Doni e quattro giocatori" [Matchfixing, 17 arrested. Doni and four players under arrest] (in Italian). La Repubblica. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "Calcioscommesse: ecco i 19 destinatari dei provvedimenti" [Matchfixing scandal: the list of 19 people destined to restrictive measures] (in Italian). Agenzia Giornalistica Italia. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Betting scandal, Conte also under investigation Mauri and Milanetto arrested". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  16. ↑ "Premier: Suspend soccer in italy". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  17. ↑ GMT (2012-06-02). "BBC Sport - Euro 2012: Cesare Prandelli has no problem if Italy withdraw". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  18. ↑ "Disciplinare, accolte le istanze di patteggiamento di 7 club e 16 tesserati". Figc.it. 2012-05-31. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  19. ↑ "Comunicato Ufficiale N°101/CDN (2011–12)" (PDF). Commissione Disciplinare Nazionale (in Italian) (FIGC). 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  20. ↑ "Comunicato Ufficiale N°002/CGF (2012–13)" (PDF). Corte di Giustizia Federale (in Italian) (FIGC). 6 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  21. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/632A2.pdf
  22. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/649A.pdf
  23. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/624A.pdf
  24. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/627A2.pdf
  25. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/631A2.pdf
  26. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/631A.pdf
  27. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/660A.pdf
  28. ↑ "Sig. Luca Fiuzzi / Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (Squalifica)" (PDF) (in Italian). CONI. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  29. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/618A.pdf
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "CHIUSO IL DIBATTIMENTO SU CREMONA. CHIESTI 15 MESI PER CONTE E ALESSIO" (in Italian). FIGC. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  31. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/648A.pdf
  32. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/629A2.pdf
  33. ↑ "DISCIPLINARE: ACCETTATI I PATTEGGIAMENTI DI JOELSON E ACERBIS" (in Italian). FIGC. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "Responsabilità diretta per Lecce e Grosseto. Per Conte omessa denuncia" (in Italian). FIGC. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "NO AL PATTEGGIAMENTO PER CONTE, - 6 IL SIENA, GROSSETO RISCHIO LEGA PRO" (in Italian). FIGC. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  36. ↑ http://www.figc.it/it/204/33190/2012/08/News.shtml
  37. ↑ "SENTENZE CGF: ACCOLTI 5 RICORSI, IL GROSSETO RESTA IN B, 10 MESI A CONTE" (in Italian). FIGC. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/638A.pdf
  39. ↑ "Comunicato Stampa" (in Italian). UC Sampdoria. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  40. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/643A2.pdf
  41. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/679A.pdf
  42. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/655A.pdf
  43. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/676A2.pdf
  44. ↑ http://www.figc.it/Assets/contentresources_2/ContenutoGenerico/96.$plit/C_2_ContenutoGenerico_33242_StrilloAreaStampa_upfDownload.pdf
  45. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/642A2.pdf
  46. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/670A.pdf
  47. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/677A2.pdf
  48. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/654A.pdf
  49. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/675A2.pdf
  50. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/666A2.pdf
  51. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/667A2.pdf
  52. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/668A.pdf
  53. ↑ "SI È CHIUSO IL DIBATTIMENTO RELATIVO AL FILONE D’INCHIESTA DI BARI" (in Italian). FIGC. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  54. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/669A2.pdf
  55. ↑ http://www.coni.it/images/TNAS/644A.pdf