Calciopoli & Scommessopoli In English

[Socrates 8328]

Conte, Pepe, Bonucci & Calcioscommesse: Just WHAT Is Going On?

Aug 3, 2012

In the last year, a scandal has been raging through the lower echelons of Italian football.

Calcioscommesse, or “football betting”, has involved players fixing matches for betting purposes, paid off by criminal gangs to assure a result. In some cases, there has been coordination between both teams involved, like when Bari players offered the Lecce ownership to throw the derby. Bari defender Andrea Masiello was paid €300k to score a decisive own goal in the match, which helped Lecce avoid relegation.

Starting out originally in the Lega Pro and Serie B divisions, the scandal has crept up towards the higher levels of calcio. Bari and Lecce players have been charged, Atalanta and their players investigated for various Serie B match-fixing (on their way to promotion), leading to point deductions for the club in the past season and a 3.5-year ban for Cristiano Doni, their captain.

As the scope of Calcioscommesse spread, the FIGC has recently charged 13 clubs, between Serie B and Serie A, of participating in illegal betting schemes, including Siena at the time that Antonio Conte was coach. There are two matches that the FIGC claims Conte was aware of irregularities, Siena vs. Novara and Albinoleffe vs. Siena. Three Siena players have been directly charged with committing match-fixing for betting purposes: Filippo Carobbio, Marcelo Larrondo, and Robert Vitiello.

One of these players in particular, Carobbio, who has been charged for activities at other clubs such as Bari and has since outed other members of the conspiracy in exchange for a reduced sentence), has come out and claimed that Antonio Conte was fully aware of the match-fixing that went on at Siena. He stated that there was a tactical meeting before the Novara game in which then-coach Conte announced to the team that Novara had come to an agreement on fixing the match, so Siena would lose 1-0. Carobbio explicitly stated that the entire team agreed to do so.

Carobbio’s statements have changed frequently: he first alleged that the match-fixing started in January, only to changed his view later and say that it only started in the Spring, when promotion was assured. When interviewed in January, Carobbio never mentioned Conte’s name. It wasn’t until 6 weeks later when he accused Conte of being in on the fix. Carobbio also claimed that the Siena players arranged the fix, only to later add that Siena President Mezzaroma insisted on the result, and passed it on through Conte. It’s interesting to note that in other cases, FIGC chief prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had not considered Carobbio’s statements credible. And while Carobbio alleged Conte was guilty of match-fixing, Palazzi charged Conte with merely being aware of the fix, but then failing to report it.

The FIGC has not indicted Antonio Conte for disciplinary judgement for the serious charge of “match fixing”, thus, rejecting the idea that Conte arranged the fix with Novara or Albinoleffe. Rather, they have charged him with being guilty of “omission”, i.e. of knowing of the plot, but not contacting the authorities. The same charge has been issued to Simone Pepe for his time at Udinese, who was reportedly offered a fix between Udinese and Bari, rejected the idea, but did not report it. Leonardo Bonucci meanwhile, has been charged with direct responsibility with several other Bari players for the Udinese vs. Bari (3-3) match, and could face serious sanctions.

This famous pre-Novara tactical meeting seems very questionable. 23 Siena players were present at this technical reunion, and have since signed sworn affidavits that a fix was not discussed, agreeing with Conte’s defense. And yet, none of these players have been charged with failing to report the incident, nor the Siena ownership, nor the Novara coaching staff. It’s a similar situation for the Albinoleffe game: the FIGC alleged there was another discussion of a fix, yet no other Siena players have been charged with omission. And yet again, neither the Siena nor Albinoleffe ownerships have been directly charged, nor has any Albinoleffe coach.

Indeed, Conte’s players have given strong defenses. Ferdinando Coppola, goalkeeper for Conte both at Siena and Atalanta, strongly denied the discussion of any fix. “There is nothing true in this, Conte and [siena President] Mezzaroma are innocent. I remember that tactical reunion, we had just lost to Portogruaro. I remember the emotion of listening to Conte, who exhorted us to win after the loss.” Many Siena players were interviewed by the FIGC, each swearing the team never discussed illegal activities, thus contradicting Carobbio’s statements. Yet for some reason, Palazzi has thus far preferred the word of a criminal over the sworn word of 23 men. The question is:

If Conte was charged of hearing of the fix at these tactical unions and failing to report it, why have these 23 Siena players not been charged, all of which who were at the same meetings and swore nothing happened?”

Filippo Carobbio has been involved with Hungarian betting syndicates in the scandal, charged with fixing many games, including matches at Siena in which Conte isn’t implicated at all. And yet, in exchange for rolling over and granting testimony against others (who committed far less serious crimes), he’s getting a reduced sentence. In the most recent round of deals, Carobbio was given a 4-month sentence for several instances of match-fixing, only one month more than Conte’s plea deal would have been.

It’s been a similar situation for Leonardo Bonucci. Like Carobbio, chief “witness” Andrea Masiello has been rolling on other targets in exchange for a lighter sentence, among which the Juventus ex-Bari defender. One of the senior officials in Bari’s medical staff has rubbished the fact that Bonucci was involved. “I hear the name of Belmonte, Bonucci, and Pepe, but these men weren’t involved because if it were true, I’d have known. The money after that match was taken by Andrea Masiello, who told me it was money for charity. I know that Bonucci is a good person, if you ask me, his name was dragged into this, even if innocent, because his relationship was poor with Andrea Masiello. The two rarely talked.”

One of the chief issues we must remember here, is that this is a SPORTING JUSTICE trial, not a criminal/civil trial. Thus, there is not the same burden of proof… and not the same person holding it. In traditional Western countries, you are “innocent until proven guilty.” In sporting trials in Italy, it is the individual charged with the crime who has to prove their innocence, which is an awfully difficult thing to do if… you’re charged with knowing of match-fixing but failing to report it!! How does one prove they did not have knowledge?

This brings us to the recent discussion of a plea bargain. There were 61 charged cases in Calcioscommesse earlier this year, in which 19 made plea deals, 38 were convicted, and 4 absolved. If convicted, Antonio Conte and Simone Pepe could face a year or more of suspension, whereas Leonardo Bonucci is looking at potentially a 3-year suspension. While Andrea Agnelli has stated those implicated have Juve’s full support, it’s rumored the club encouraged Conte, Pepe, and Bonucci to accept a plea deal. For Conte, it was include a €200k fine (donated to charity) and a 3-month suspension effective August 1st, which would prevent him from accessing the team bench on matchdays until November 1st, but enable him to still conduct training sessions.

It’s worth noting that under Article 23 of the ‘Code of Sport Justice’, a plea bargain specifies there is no admission of guilt by the accused. The process would thus formally neither admit nor deny the charges originally presented, which in the eyes of Conte, Bonucci, and Pepe is very important as they yet maintain their innocence (and are very much inclined to fight the charges).

For Bonucci, who faces a ban of potentially up to 3 years, it seemed — by early reports — that a plea deal would initially involve a full year suspension (leaving Bonucci stuck between a rock and a hard place on whether to plea or fight the accusations in court). However, if the charges against the Juve center-back were demoted from “sporting fraud” to “omission” (as they have in the case of Marcelo Larrondo), Bonucci could get away with only 3 months.

In Conte’s case, a plea bargain would certainly damage the coach’s reputation, but it could be better than attempting to clear his name, which would leave a heavy cloud of uncertainty over the current season and possibly result in a longer suspension. His name has already been sullied by those newspapers eager to drag him through the mud, despite the lack of evidence or questionable testimony of a soon-to-be convicted felon.

In a surprising plot twist, the plea deal negotiated by FIGC chief prosecutor Palazzi with Conte’s lawyers earlier this week (and which Conte was persuaded to accept), was however rejected by the sporting tribunal judges, who considered it to be too light! The court counter-offer included a 5-month suspension and a €100k fine, but irritated by the first rejection and fueled by a desire to clear his name, Antonio Conte rejected it, choosing instead to go to trial. The issue will now proceed into a full court hearing, with Palazzi seeking the regular 15-month suspension for all cases of “omission”.

Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe have a bit of time left to decide on a plea bargain. Next Friday, the sporting court of justice and Palazzi will decide on what plea deal to offer the two Juventini. While Juventus encouraged Pepe, Bonucci, and Conte to accept a plea deal, things may change in the next week following the court’s rejection of Palazzi’s plea offer to Conte.

Unsurprisingly, Juve’s upper management reacted very strongly to the sporting judges’ decision, especially after they had encouraged their coach to accept the deal offered by Palazzi. Juventus posted a formal media blackout (silenzio stampa) on their home page, handed Leonardo Bonucci the captain’s armband for the Benfica friendly, and then came out with a strongly worded statement from Andrea Agnelli regarding the FIGC and their judicial system:

It appears that the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio and its system of sporting justice continue to operate in complete disregard of law and equity. For a long while now, and with a great sense of responsibility, Juventus and its employees have maintained a calm and consistent approach in their dealings with the Institutions and in the face of stances which, right from the outset, appeared to suggest the club and its representatives were once again under attack.

The results pertaining to the various charges are littered with contradictions and tend to protect only those who have committed infractions. This is a paradox and unacceptable.

The decision taken yesterday by the FIGC’s national disciplinary committee, which opposed a plea bargain that had already been considered and approved by the federal prosecutor, is testimony to the complete inadequacy of the sporting justice system and the Federation within which it operates.

Once again, I detect an inability to interpret the requirements of today’s top-level professional game. Having chosen to make a plea bargain in order to limit the damage of an antiquated and contradictory system of sporting justice, one is confronted with a dictatorial system that deprives the club and its employees of any right to defend themselves and their honour.

It is the respectability of individuals that is being put in danger and therefore it is up to them to have the final say on the decisions to be made, in the knowledge that Juventus will support them at every level of the judicial system. It will be a tough and demanding season, but as a club we remain entirely focused on the team’s performances on the pitch and our target is once again to win trophies come May 2013.

Whatever the reason Conte has been targeted, his treatment is unfair and is only further proof of the antiquated, corrupt, arbitrary mess of a judicial system present in Italy. But this will not be like Calciopoli back in 2006. Back then, the media massacred Juventus in the court of public opinion. The entire board of directors resigned, and the new management simply rolled over and never fought the charges.

The new Juventus will not roll over.

[Socrates 8328]

Carobbio’s lawyers hit back

Aug 3, 2012

Filippo Carobbio’s lawyers have hit back at Antonio Conte’s for their attack on the footballer for his role in Conte’s current situation.

The Juventus Coach is facing the prospect of a potential 15-month ban from the game should his decision to go to trial this summer to plead his innocence in the betting affair prove unsuccessful.

Conte must prove his innocence against accusations that he was aware of two specific matches being fixed whilst he was Coach at Siena. The tactician has been brought into this affair based on evidence provided by his former player at the Tuscan club, Carobbio.

The rejection of Conte’s plea bargain of three months and a €200,000 fine and the comparison of the possible 15-month ban against Carobbio’s now extended 26-month ban prompted Conte’s lawyers to hit out at Carobbio this week.

In response, Carobbio’s own legal team has hit out at criticism aimed at their client.

“Filippo Carobbio has had the courage to break the wall of silence that unfortunately still exists in football,” Simone Giuliani told reporters today.

“He acknowledged his mistakes and is paying for them, but it is unacceptable that he should continue to face severe threats, slander and repeated aggression towards his family, as he has for the past few days on the internet.”

Carobbio’s team also examined further Cristian Stellini’s involvement in the issue. Stellini was a member of Conte’s coaching staff and has been handed a two-year ban - extended now to 30 months - on a plea bargain for his alleged role.

“Ask yourself a question - who has sent Stellini to Carobbio to fix the AlbinoLeffe-Siena game?” asked another of Carobbio’s lawyers, Riccardo Donzelli today to reporters.

“This is the black hole of the process - when we have this answered then we will understand some things.

“You want to know if I am referring to Conte? For us, it is a point highlighted by the statement attached to Stellini’s plea bargain, and not clarified by the defence yesterday.”

[Socrates 8328]

Bonucci faces ban, Lecce demotion

Aug 3, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci could face a ban of three years and six months, Simone Pepe a year, Bologna -2 points and Lecce demoted to Lega Pro as the betting trial continues.

The trial into the betting scandal continued today with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi stating his case and suggesting sentences for those who opted not to take plea bargains.

Bologna could be docked two points for the new season and fined €50,000, while Lecce would be demoted to Lega Pro with a six-point penalty.

Udinese would receive a €50,000 fine because their players were thought to be involved in match-fixing.

The big news is that Juventus defender Bonucci – dragged into the trial due to his time at Bari – could be suspended for three years and six months.

His Juventus teammate Pepe, whose charges date back to his Udinese career, would be banned for a year.

Marco Di Vaio also risks a year on the sidelines, while the other requested bans are Nicola Belmonte (four years), Simone Bentivoglio (three years and six months), Stefano Guberti (three years), Salvatore Masiello (three years and six months), Padelli (three years), Daniele Portanova (three years) and Vives (three years and six months).

Lecce are accused of knowing there was a potential fix in their games, so President Rico Semeraro – who has since sold the club – would be banned for five years.

[Socrates 8328]

Palazzi explains betting charges

Aug 3, 2012

FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi outlined his case in the betting trial against Leonardo Bonucci, Simone Pepe and others over Udinese-Bari, Bologna-Bari, Bari-Lecce and Bari-Sampdoria.

This evening Palazzi requested a series of bans, including three years and six months for ex-Bari defender Bonucci, one year for Pepe due to his time at Udinese, Bologna to be docked two points and for Lecce to be demoted to Lega Pro.

With regards to the Udinese-Bari Serie A match in 2010-11, Palazzi explained gambler “De Tullio took part of the winning money from the bet after the game. Andrea Masiello testified about De Tullio’s proposal, negotiations based in the world of illegal gambling aimed at corrupting players.

“Obviously at first those involved try to blame others for the proposed fix. Masiello claims the initial offer came from De Tullio, then that he told Bonucci, Alessandro Parisi, Nicola Belmonte and Salvatore Masiello. According to Andrea Masiello, they were all willing to listen.

“Simply being willing to listen is already sporting fraud. Masiello’s proposal is further developed because he says Salvatore Masiello called Pepe, as they used to play together. We know they had a telephone conversation.

“The confirmation can also be found by the fact Belmonte and Parisi were mentioned with regards to other games. De Tullio said he called Stellini to confirm the match had been fixed.

“Bonucci claims Masiello’s statements were contradictory. We consider them to be progressive enriching of the statements. Masiello collaborated fully with the authorities.

“As for the contradiction in the timing of this agreement, seeing as Bonucci was in the Nazionale, Masiello added the deal was struck on the team bus.”

Palazzi moved on to the Bologna-Bari match, also in Serie A, which sees Daniele Portanova face a three-year ban for sporting fraud and the Rossoblu potentially docked two points. Marco Di Vaio, now at Montreal Impact, risks a one-year ban for failing to report a fix to authorities.

“There was contact between Masiello and Portanova, the proposal made by Carella and Giacobbe, then the conduct of Portanova in engaging in negotiations over this proposed sporting fraud.

“Neither side had any interest in getting results for the table, as Bologna were safe and Bari already relegated.

“Portanova had a second meeting with them to conclude the sporting fraud, but first he had to ask captain Di Vaio. Once Di Vaio said no to the fix, Portanova re-called them to say the fix was off.”

The biggest scandal is around Bari-Lecce, particularly as this is a local derby and so means a great deal to the fans.

“On this game we have the converging testimonies of Andrea Masiello, Giacobbe and Carella. Carella offered €300,000, Quarta went off to talk to someone that Carella recognised to be Lecce President Rico Semeraro, then came back and handed them a cheque as ‘guarantee’ for the €300,000.

“Around 10 days after the match, Quarta handed €70,000 to Carella, then another cheque worth €80,000. To discuss the transaction of the final cash sum, there was a meeting at the Hotel Tiziano in which Masiello confirmed he scored an own goal on purpose. The financial records confirm these transactions.

“Semeraro’s presence cannot be considered coincidental. Vives is accused of participating in the fix and not reporting it to authorities. He was pin-pointed as the Lecce player who had to give the signal of the fix. Whether it happened or not is irrelevant, as he still participated in the proposed fix. Whether it was a pat on the shoulder or an exchange of jerseys doesn’t matter.”

The final match involved in today’s betting scandal accusations is Bari-Sampdoria.

“There was a double attempt, the first perpetrated by the so-called group of ‘Zingari’, but everyone except Bentivoglio took plea bargains on this.

“A second attempt saw Stefano Guberti offer money to Masiello. Masiello spoke to Marco Rossi and not to others, because he was blocked by Mutti. Rossi confirmed Guberti made two attempts to contact him.”

The judges are expected to make a ruling at the end of next week.

[Socrates 8328]

Scommessopoli prosecutor demands lengthy bans

for Juventus duo Bonucci and Pepe

Stefano Palazzi, the man in charge of dealing with those involved in Scommessopoli,

wants heavy sanctions to be imposed on the pair, along with Montreal Impact's Marco Di Vaio.

Aug 3, 2012

The federal prosecutor handling the on-going Scommessopoli scandal, Stefano Palazzi, has requested lengthy bans for Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe.

The Juventus duo have been charged with sporting fraud as part of the match-fixing ring, with Palazzi wanting a three-and-a-half-year ban for the centre-back, and a year's suspension for the ex-Bologna winger.

The prosecutor is also demanding a year-long ban for Marco Di Vaio, the former Bologna striker who recently moved to Canadian side Montreal Impact.

Other prominent Italian footballers facing considerable penalties include Siena's Emilio Belmonte (four years), Giuseppe Vives (three-and-a-half years) and Daniele Portanova (one year), and former Bari trio Simone Bentivoglio, Stefano Guberti and Salvatore Masiello (up to three-and-a-half years).

The heaviest sanction, however, lies with Pierandrea Semeraro, as Palazzi is holding out for a five-year ban to be imposed on the ex-Lecce president.

The requests will now be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

[Socrates 8328]

Bonucci and Pepe case rests

Aug 4, 2012

Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci’s lawyers explained why they are going to a full betting trial, but Simone Bentivoglio takes a 13-month plea bargain.

The betting trial continued today with Juventus players Pepe and Bonucci accompanied in the court by director general Beppe Marotta.

There were reported negotiations for hours on a possible plea bargain, but instead Bonucci and Pepe opted to fight the charges and go to a full trial. The sentence is expected on August 8-10.

It can be a risky tactic, considering Bonucci faces a three-and-a-half year ban, while Pepe could be suspended for a year.

“The plea bargain becomes difficult when facing such a long ban. You can negotiate when it’s about three months, but not more than that,” said lawyer Chiappero.

Most of those involved in the scandal are charged with failing to report a potential fix to authorities. This means even those who were approached and refused a proposed fix, or might’ve been aware something strange was happening, can be banned for a year or more.

For example, Juve Coach Antonio Conte risks a 15-month ban for this charge while he was at Siena.

“It’s about time we reconsider the existence of this charge. It was useful when there weren’t full trials, but now it can become even dangerous.”

Bonucci and Pepe left the Rome court this afternoon and travelled to Salerno, where Juventus are set to play Malaga in a friendly this evening.

Meanwhile, Chievo midfielder Bentivoglio has accepted a plea bargain for one count of sporting fraud (Palermo-Bari, May 2011) and two of failing to report to authorities (Bari-Sampdoria, April 2011 and Bari-Lecce, May 2011).

Bentivoglio has negotiated a 13-month ban plus a €50,000 fine. The prosecutor had requested a ban of three years and six months.

[Socrates 8328]

Bonucci lawyer fights betting charges

Aug 4, 2012

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is also set to go to a full betting trial after plea bargain negotiations failed, as his lawyers picked apart the Udinese-Bari evidence.

The Italian international is accused of sporting fraud due to his time at Bari, risking three years and six months suspension.

There were reports this morning he was in talks with the prosecutor Stefano Palazzi to work out a plea bargain based on failing to report an attempted fix to authorities rather than the more serious charge, but it seems to have collapsed.

Bonucci’s lawyer, Gian Pietro Bianchi, criticised the basis of the evidence against Bonucci, which came from Andrea Masiello’s testimony.

“The prosecutor claims Masiello’s changing testimony was ‘progressively enriched’ rather than contradictory. But it is a progressive climax towards illogicality.

“As Masiello tries to make his version of events more useful to the prosecutor, he contradicts himself so much that we can’t even work out what role Bonucci had in this match.

“Masiello spoke twice to the Cremona prosecutors, once in Bari, and he never mentioned the Udinese-Bari match. On February 7 Iacovelli was the first to talk about Udinese-Bari, including Masiello but not Bonucci.

“When Masiello discovered through the newspapers that Iacovelli had talked – which is in itself damaging the evidence – then Masiello brought Bonucci into it.

“However, even here Masiello cannot get his story straight. First he said he asked Bonucci for the fix the week before the training camp, then he said specifically in the locker room. In the meantime, Bonucci proves he couldn’t have been there at that date because he was on international duty.

“So Masiello is asked about the circumstances of their meeting again, because the dates don’t match up. Masiello changes it to before the trip to Udine, which is his fourth testimony and fourth change, but it’s not enough.

“When he testifies on July 10 and ‘perfectly remembers’ Bonucci was not present during the week, so the meeting happened on the team bus to Udine. But Bonucci was there from Thursday and trained regularly each day.

“Evidently something doesn’t fit here, there are illogical discrepancies. Masiello also testified with discrepancies over whether the fix was meant to be an ‘over’ with many goals, a draw with goals or specifically 2-2.

“Then Masiello said he was passive on the second and third goals on purpose. But why? If it was meant to be a 2-2 for the betting syndicate, why would he favour a 3-2 result for Udinese?

“De Tullio testified that Masiello sorted the ‘fix’ Udinese-Bari all by himself and is just a big liar.”

Simone Pepe is also involved in this match, dragged in by Masiello’s testimony for failing to report an attempted fix to authorities, as Salvatore Masiello was the one who was meant to call Pepe.

Udinese could also see their fine revoked, because the charge of sporting fraud would be reduced to an attempted – and failed – fix orchestrated entirely by Andrea Masiello.

Prosecutor Palazzi requested several breaks during today’s court session, with many suggesting this means his entire case around Udinese-Bari is collapsing.

[Socrates 8328]

'Conte's dignity is priceless'

Aug 4, 2012

Antonio Conte’s lawyer reveals why the Juventus Coach took a plea bargain and then chose to fight the betting charges in a full trial. “His dignity is priceless.”

The tactician is charged with failing to alert authorities to a potential fix while he was at Siena, something he has always denied.

He was willing to take a plea bargain on the strict condition it was not an admission of guilt (which is possible under Italian law), but the Disciplinary Commission rejected the suspension of three months with €200,000 fine.

Conte and his assistant manager Angelo Alessio have taken a surprising step by not sitting on the bench for tonight's friendly against Malaga. Massimo Carrera takes the reins instead, as Juve are forced to prepare for life without Conte on the touchline.

“He was always very consistent, saying he wanted to respect the work of the prosecutors and judges,” lawyer Antonio De Rensis told Sky Sport Italia.

“Despite the difficulties this situation created for Juventus and his family, he is the one who gives us strength. The same level of strength and support comes from President Andrea Agnelli.

“A plea bargain in a sporting trial is an opportunity and I can guarantee it was very hard to convince Conte to accept the three-month ban. When that failed, every other option fell away, because Antonio Conte’s dignity is priceless.

“What irritated him the most? He always put the needs of the team first, even in front of his pride and dignity. What hurt Antonio the most was being painted as someone unfair, which everyone knows is completely opposed to the reality.

“He is a man of great heart and honesty. Those who know him, love him.”

After the plea bargain collapsed, the prosecutor requested a 15-month ban and the Disciplinary Commission judges are expected to make a decision around August 8-10.

“I think the fact the prosecutor quintupled his requested ban shows how out of proportion this is,” continued the lawyer.

“The truth is in the paperwork, as there are some passages of testimony that are completely contradictory. In five versions Carlo Gervasoni and Filippo Carobbio changed their stories in the detail and every time this happened Carobbio said that Gervasoni was lying. If one says black and the other says white, then someone here is not telling the truth.

“I am convinced the Disciplinary Commission is not targeting Conte, it’s just that Carobbio said things that are contradicted within the paperwork at their disposal. Unfortunately, they have so little time to get to the bottom of things.

“The paperwork says it all. I’d like to point out that against my client there are no intercepted phone calls or a money trail. The only evidence is the testimony of someone who already confessed to sporting fraud.

“I feel evidence has to be fundamental, otherwise we are facing a witch-hunt.”

[Socrates 8328]

Masiello cannot get his story straight, insists Bonucci's lawyer

Claims implicating the Bianconeri centre-back in the ongoing Scommessopoli

scandal are confused and unfounded, according to the player's court representative.

Aug 4, 2012

The lawyer of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has hit out at Atalanta right-back Andrea Masiello, claiming that he is forever changing his claims in the ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Italian football.

The 25-year-old Italy international is facing a ban of three years and six months after he was deemed to have allegedly played a part in fixing two games while on the books of the Bari, alongside the full-back, in 2009-10.

But his legal representative has swiftly stepped in to discredit the claims made in Masiello's testifying statements, claiming they are riddled with contradictions with regards to key events.

"Masiello contradicts himself so much as he tries to make his version of events more useful to the prosecutor," Gian Pietro Bianchi was quoted as saying by giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "We don't even know what role Bonucci played here anymore."

"The prosecutor claims Masiello's changing testimony is 'progressively enriched', when in actuality it is rather a progressive climax towards illogicality.

"Masiello has already spoken twice, but not once did he bring up the Udinese-Bari match. Even here, he cannot get his story straight. Evidently, something doesn't fit here, there are illogical discrepancies."

Meanwhile, Bonucci's Bianconeri team-mate Simone Pepe has also been implicated, with the winger accused of not reporting an attempted fix to the relevant authorities.

But he has decided not to accept a plea bargain proposal, which would have seen him banned for one year.

"That option becomes difficult when facing such a long ban. You can negotiate when it's about three months, but not more than that," clarified lawyer Luigi Chiappero.

Juve coach Antonio Conte has also been implicated in ongoing investigations, and could face a 15-month ban.

[Socrates 8328]

Conte included in Bari investigations over Scommessopoli

Despite already facing a 15-month ban from football, the Juventus boss could now be

sanctioned via his alleged involvement in foul play at the San Nicola three years ago.

Aug 5, 2012

Antonio Conte will be questioned when Bari are investigated for their role in the Scommessopoli scandal on Tuesday, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The 43-year-old had already been threatened with the possibility of a 15-month ban by federal prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, after failing to report instances of match-fixing while at Siena, and will now stand trial to clear his name.

However, it has now come to light that the coach, who recently led Juventus to their first official Serie A title since 2003, could face further punishment, relating to his spell in charge of second-tier outfit Bari between 2007 and 2009.

The accusations claim the Biancorossi deliberately threw their 3-2 defeat to Salernitana on May 23, 2009, with Conte, in his post-match reaction, suggesting: "It was a real game and I would like to have come out unscathed."

Conte sat out Juventus' 2-0 friendly victory over Malaga on Saturday, with first-team coach Massimo Carrera taking the reins.

[Socrates 8328]

Bonucci has nothing to admit to, says lawyer

The Italy international's legal representative says the 25-year-old is entirely innocent

after accusations of sporting fraud were levelled against him.

Aug 6, 2012

Giampietro Bianchi, the lawyer of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, believes that his client will be cleared of any role in the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal.

Our definitive countdown of the finest players from 2011-12 has commenced. Click here to view our slideshow of the stars who ranked 50-4 in our list!

The centre-back has been charged with sporting fraud in relation to incidents that occurred during his spell at Bari during the 2009-10 season, with the federal prosecutor in charge of handling the on-going scandal, Stefano Palazzi, requesting a three-and-a-half-year ban be given to the 25-year-old.

Despite the sanctions proposed by Palazzi, the defender's representative is confident that his client's name will be cleared in due course.

"The prosecutor offered us the opportunity to move the charge from sporting fraud to simply failing to alert authorities to a potential fix, but only if there were new facts that he was going to admit to,” Bianchi explained to Tuttosport.

"Bonucci has not done anything, so what was he supposed to admit? It is true there would be some risks of civil court action too, but in any case he would never have 'confessed' to anything untrue. It is a moral decision.

"He would have evaluated the possibility out of respect for Juve's interest, but not if it meant admitting to something he never actually did."

The lawyer pleaded his case to the Disciplinary Committee of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Saturday, identifying inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimony against his client.

[Socrates 8328]

Cristian Stellini resigns amid Scommessopoli allegations

The club have confirmed that a member of Antonio Conte's backroom staff

had submitted his resignation to the club after being implicated in the scandal.

Aug 6, 2012

The on-going investigation into the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal has led to Cristian Stellini resigning from his position as technical assistant coach of Juventus.

The future of their coach Antonio Conte, and his deputy, Angelo Alessio, remain uncertain, but the former Bari player, who had also been part of Conte’s coaching team while at Siena in 2010-11 when the alleged match-fixing occurred, has confirmed his exit.

The 38-year-old posted a statement on the club's official website, apologising for his role in the affair.

"The events of the last month have deeply affected me. In a short space of time I went from member of the technical staff of the champions of Italy to a cause of turmoil for those with whom I worked," Stellini wrote.

"Whatever the outcome of the legal situation I am in, I feel it is only right to show a professional attitude and release this weight from Juventus which fell on to the club’s shoulders due to my time elsewhere in my career.

"I think it is right to dedicate all my time and efforts to clearing my position in these matters, which are exclusively about me and not those I simply shared a locker room with.

"I therefore tend my irrevocable resignation as technical assistant at Juventus."

However, there was optimism elsewhere at the club on Monday as the lawyer of the Bianconeri defender Leonardo Bonucci stated that he was confident his client would be cleared of the charges of sporting fraud levelled against him.

[Socrates 8328]

Bonucci 'has nothing to confess'

Aug 6, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci’s lawyer explains why he refused a plea bargain in the betting trial. “He hasn’t done anything, so what was he supposed to admit?”

The Juventus defender has been charged with sporting fraud due to his time at Bari and risks a three-and-a-half year ban, but is fighting the case and expects a verdict between Wednesday and Friday.

“The prosecutor offered us the opportunity to move the charge from sporting fraud to simply failing to alert authorities to a potential fix, but only if there were new facts that he was going to admit to,” explained lawyer Giampietro Bianchi in Tuttosport.

“Bonucci hasn’t done anything, so what was he supposed to admit? It’s true there would be some risks of civil court action too, but in any case he would never have ‘confessed’ to anything untrue. It is a moral decision.

“He would’ve evaluated the possibility out of respect for Juve’s interests, but not if it meant admitting to something he never actually did.”

The lawyer pleaded his case in front of the Disciplinary Commission on Saturday, pointing out inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimony.

“What are the chances of Bonucci being cleared? Considering the paperwork in the trial, we have the utmost confidence.

“Frankly, I don’t see any other option than for him to be cleared and he is very confident too. The judges paid close attention and I’m convinced they will evaluate the matter with just as much attention.”

[Socrates 8328]

Cobolli Gigli: 'Conte plea bargain wrong'

Aug 6, 2012

Ex-Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli believes Antonio Conte’s lawyers “made a mistake” in seeking a plea bargain in the betting trial.

The Coach was advised by Bianconeri lawyers to go for a three-month ban with €200,000 fine on the strict condition it was not legally considered an admission of guilt.

When that was rejected by the Disciplinary Commission, Conte opted to fight the charges of failing to alert authorities to a potential fix and now risks a 15-month suspension. A verdict is expected sometime after Wednesday.

“Although I understood the club’s choice on Conte, I didn’t appreciate it,” Cobolli Gigli told Radio Goal.

“I believe he too wanted to go all the way in front of the judges. After all, a plea bargain is a half-admission of guilt.

“I really appreciated Leonardo Bonucci’s decision to reject a plea bargain. I think the lawyers made a mistake with Conte.”

Bonucci is challenging the charge of sporting fraud, which could see him banned for three-and-a-half years.

[Socrates 8328]

Conte assistant Stellini resigns

Aug 6, 2012

Antonio Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini, has resigned from the Juventus staff after he took a plea bargain in the betting trial.

The former Bari and Como player had been part of Conte’s staff while at Siena in 2010-11.

It was during that experience that the events of the betting trial occurred, which saw Conte and assistant manager Angelo Alessio fight the charges of failing to alert authorities to a potential fix.

Stellini’s position was rather more serious and he accepted a plea bargain this week for a ban of two years and six months for sporting fraud.

This evening the official Juventus website published Stellini’s resignation letter, which was addressed to President Andrea Agnelli.

“The events of the last month have deeply affected me. In a short space of time I went from member of the technical staff of the champions of Italy to a cause of turmoil for those I worked with.

“Whatever the evolution of the legal situation I am in, I feel it is only right to show a professional attitude and release this weight from Juventus which fell on to the club’s shoulders due to my time elsewhere in my career.

“I think it is right to dedicate all my time and efforts to clearing my position in these matters, which are exclusively about me and not those I simply shared a locker room with.

“I therefore tend my irrevocable resignation as technical assistant at Juventus.”

[Socrates 8328]

10 for Conte, nothing for Bonucci, Pepe?

Aug 7, 2012

Reports today suggest that Juventus boss Antonio Conte could be banned for 10 months, whilst Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe face acquittal.

From Wednesday to Friday this week will see the first judgements passed on those involved in the betting scandal who did not opt for plea bargains, with Juve’s trio of Coach and two players facing different prospects.

Today’s edition of the Corriere dello Sport is speculating that Conte will face a possible ban until June 9, 2013 from the Discipline Commission, which would be subject to Conte’s appeal.

The ban would be five months fewer than prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had originally put forward, this after the Coach’s original three-month suspension as a plea bargain was rejected.

Meanwhile, the same publication is also alleging that Juventus players Bonucci and Pepe face acquittal from their respective charges of sporting fraud and failing to report an attempted fix.

It is understood that the testimony from Andrea Masiello is not holding up and the players could see all charges dropped for their alleged part played in trying to fix a Bari-Udinese match from 2010.

Bonucci, who was at Bari at the time, is facing the prospect of a three-year, six-month suspension, whilst Pepe, an Udinese player that day, is currently anticipating a potential one-year ban.

[Socrates 8328]

Conte faces 10-month ban for role in Scommessopoli scandal

The Serie A-winning coach could be suspended for the entire 2012-13 campaign,

while Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe could walk away unscathed.

Aug 8, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte will be handed a 10-month suspension for his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal that has rocked Italian football, La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reports.

The former Italy international saw his plea bargain for a three-month ban rejected by the disciplinary committee last week, with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi then demanding a 15-month suspension.

Conte will learn his fate between Wednesday and Friday when the first judgements will be passed, and the 43-year-old could miss the entire 2012-13 campaign as the disciplinary committee believes Carlo Gervasoni and Filippo Carobbio are credible witnesses.

Conte is charged with failing to report attempts to influence the outcome of two Serie B matches against Novara and AlbinoLeffe in the 2010-11 season when he was in charge of Siena.

Meanwhile, both Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are expected to be acquitted from their respective charges.

Bonucci is being accused of sporting fraud, while Pepe faces charges of failing to report an attempt to fix the outcome of a match between Bari and Udinese from 2010.

Nevertheless, star witness Andrea Masiello's statements are not holding up and both players could walk away from the match-fixing allegations unscathed.

[Socrates 8328]

10 months anticipated for Conte

Aug 8, 2012

The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport believe that Antonio Conte is almost certainly going to be handed an initial 10-month ban from football for his alleged role in the betting scandal.

The Coach is accused of being aware of two attempted fixes in Serie B games when in charge of Siena. Having seen an initial plea bargain of a three-month ban rejected by the Discipline Commission, reports earlier this week suggested that he could be hit with a subsequent 10-month ban.

That belief remains the case, as the Commission meets today to decide their sentences for those involved. The 10-month ban being reported by the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport this afternoon as almost certain is five less than prosecutor Stefano Palazzi first suggested and would still be subject to Conte appealing it.

Whilst the Commission are understood to be considering Filippo Carobbio and Carlo Gervasoni’s testaments as reliable, which is why Conte faces this ban, the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport also believe that they do not hold Andrea Masiello’s declarations in the same light.

If this is true then Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe would see charges against them dropped. Bonucci is facing a charge of direct involvement in an attempted fix in May 2010, whilst at Bari, and a possible three-year, six-month ban. Pepe is accused of knowing about this same fix, whilst an Udinese player and faces a possible 12-month ban.

The Discipline Commission will make public their recommended punishments for those involved in the case on Thursday morning, from which point affected parties will have five days to prepare an appeal.

[Socrates 8328]

Betting trial verdict due Friday

Aug 9, 2012

The Disciplinary Commission will reveal its verdicts on the betting trial, including Antonio Conte and Leonardo Bonucci, on Friday morning.

The trial concluded last week and the panel of judges is set to announce the ruling tomorrow.

It is reported that Juventus Coach Conte faces a 10-month ban for failing to alert authorities to a potential fix while he was at Siena in 2010-11.

This is lower than the 15-month ban requested by prosecutor Stefano Palazzi and Conte is able to appeal.

Juve players Bonucci and Simone Pepe are expected to be cleared, as the Disciplinary Commission noted multiple contradictions in Andrea Masiello’s testimony.

Bonucci risks three years and six months in the stands, while Pepe could be out for a year.

Also awaiting the verdicts are Juve assistant manager Angelo Alessio, Bologna defender Daniele Portanova, ex-Rossoblu captain Marco Di Vaio and more.

Clubs Ancona, Bologna, Grosseto, Lecce, Novara and Udinese wait to know if they will have points docked for the new season or, in Lecce’s case, demotion to Lega Pro.

[Socrates 8328]

Official: 10 months for Conte

Aug 10, 2012

Antonio Conte has been handed an initial 10-month ban from the Disciplinary Commission, but Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are acquitted.

Meanwhile, Lecce and Grosseto have been relegated to Lega Pro for their alleged direct involvement in fixing matches for betting profits.

Conte is alleged to have known about two attempted match fixes during the 2010-11 season when he was in charge of Siena.

His original plea bargain of a three-month suspension and €200,000 fine was rejected by the Commission and he could not agree terms on a new plea bargain, so opted to take it to trial.

Subsequently, the Commission have handed him a 10-month suspension from the game, up to June 9, 2013. This was five months less than the figure prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had suggested and Conte can appeal the ruling on August 20 in front of the Federal Court of Justice.

Conte’s assistant Coach Angelo Alessio has been handed an eight-month ban.

However, it is better news for Juve’s Bonucci and Pepe, as the Commission acquitted them of all charges because of inconsistencies found in the testimonial of Andrea Masiello. The current Atalanta player had alleged Bonucci’s direct involvement and Pepe’s knowledge of the attempted fix of Bari’s May 2010 match against Udinese, with Bonucci initially facing a three-year, six-month suspension and Pepe a one-year ban.

The Commission has also acquitted Udinese, Marco Di Vaio, Salvatore Masiello, Daniele Padelli, Giuseppe Vives and Nicola Belmonte of charges in this case, but Belmonte still faces six months out for charges relating to his alleged involvement in a Cesena-Bari fix.

Elsewhere, Lecce, who were relegated last season on the field in Serie A, have been demoted to the Lega Pro alongside Grosseto. The Salentini will also be given a €30,000 fine and six-point penalty to begin 2012-13 with, and Grosseto a three-point penalty.

Grosseto’s President Piero Camilli and Lecce’s former President Giovanni Semeraro have both been handed five-year bans too, for the belief that they knew about attempted fixes involving their teams.

Bologna have been handed a €30,000 fine and Ancona a €10,000 fine, whilst Novara must begin their Serie B campaign on -2 points.

All those with sentences can launch an appeal in front of the Federal Court of Justice on August 20, six days before the Serie A campaign is due to begin.

There were also numerous plea bargains during the course of the week. Among the clubs are Siena (-6 points and €100,000 fine), Bari (-5 and €80,000), Albinoleffe, Sampdoria, Torino and Varese (all -1 and €30,000) and Portogruaro (€5,000).

Among the players and individuals to take plea bargains are sporting director Angelozzi (four months), Bentivoglio (13 months), Carobbio (six months added to the previous 20 months), Da Costa (three months and €30,000), D’Urbano (five months and 10 days), Esposito (three months and 10 days), Faggiano (four months) and Garlini (nine months added to the previous three years).

Also with plea bargains are Gervasoni (four months added to the previous six years and eight months with proposed lifetime ban), Larrondo (three months, 20 days and €30,000), Andrea Masiello (two years, two months and €30,000), Mutti (four months), Parisi (two years and €10,000), Passoni (six months and 15 days added to the previous 14 months), Poloni (six months added to the previous 12 months), Marco Rossi (20 months and €20,000), Sala (two years), Sanfelice (four months), Savorani (five months and 10 days), Stellini (two years, six months and €50,000).

[Socrates 8328]

Conte handed 10-month ban in Scommessopoli scandal

The Old Lady boss has been hit with a lengthy suspension for his role in the match-fixing

ring, but Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe have both been acquitted.

Aug 10, 2012

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced that Juventus coach Antonio Conte has been suspended for 10 months due to his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal.

The 43-year-old has been found guilty of failing to report attempts to influence the outcome of two Serie B matches against Novara and AlbinoLeffe in the 2010-11 season, when he was in charge of Siena.

He had previously reached a plea bargain deal with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi over a three-month ban, but the agreement was rejected by the FIGC's Disciplinary Committee.

Furthermore, Angelo Alessio, Conte's assistant at both Siena and Juventus, has been handed an eight-month ban for his involvement in the match-fixing probe.

Lecce and Grosseto have both been relegated from Serie B, while the presidents of both clubs have been suspended from all football activities for five years.

However, Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are among the players who were acquitted due to a lack of evidence, with veteran striker Marco Di Vaio also walking away unscathed.

[Socrates 8328]

Juventus vow to back Conte after Scommessopoli verdict

The Turin giants have released a formal statement in support of the beleaguered

head coach, and are hopeful he will be acquitted on appeal.

Aug 10, 2012

Juventus have reiterated that Antonio Conte and his assistant Angelo Alessio still have the club's full support, despite the duo being sanctioned for their role in the Scommessopoli scandal.

The coach was handed a 10-month suspension for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal, while his deputy was banned for eight months.

"Following the verdicts given by the FIGC's disciplinary committee regarding the involvement of Juventus employees in incidents while at other clubs, Juventus are extremely satisfied with the acquittal of footballers Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe," read an official statement.

"Furthermore, the club underlines its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio, in the hope that their innocence will emerge during the appeals process.

"The coaches' legal team, comprising of professionals chosen by the parties themselves in complete agreement with the club, is already drawing up the grounds for appeal, in the firm belief that the coaches had no involvement in the matter.

"Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio will be assisted by lawyers Antonio De Rensis and Luigi Chiappero, and additionally by Giulia Bongiorno."

The verdicts come only one day before Juventus' Supercoppa Italiana match against Napoli on Saturday.

[Socrates 8328]

Palazzi appeals Pepe, Bonucci acquittals

Aug 14, 2012

The betting trials have taken a new twist overnight with the news that Federal Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi is appealing last week’s rulings.

Palazzi, as prosecutor, put forward suggested sentences for several individuals, including a 42-month ban for Leonardo Bonucci and a 12-month ban for Simone Pepe.

The Juventus duo were being accused off the back of Andrea Masiello’s testimony for involvement in the alleged attempted fix of Bari-Udinese in May, 2010, whilst other individuals were facing charges in other games that Masiello was giving evidence for.

However, the Disciplinary Commission, in handing out a 10-month ban to Antonio Conte and demoting Lecce to the Lega Pro for alleged involvement in other games, ruled Masiello’s evidence for alleged Bari-Udinese, Bari-Bologna and Bari-Lecce fixes as inconsistent.

This saw Bonucci, Pepe, Marco Di Vaio, Daniele Padelli, Giuseppe Vives and Nicola Belmonte and Udinese all acquitted of charges faced in relation.

However, reports indicate that Palazzi is resolute that Masiello’s evidence can hold up and has filed an appeal overnight at the Federal Court of Justice.

His appeal is for all three of these games, as well as rulings relating to Albinoleffe-Siena, which Juve boss Conte was handed a 10-month ban for alleged involvement in - five months less than Palazzi’s recommended sentence.

Palazzi’s appeal means that affected parties, including Bonucci and Pepe, have a few days in which to prepare a defence, before the Federal Court reportedly consider the appeal on August 20 and 21.

[Socrates 8328]

Juventus must accept Conte's punishment, says FIGC president Abete

The leader of Serie A's governing body has called for an end to the criticism

of the decisions made following the recent Scommessopoli trials.

Aug 15, 2012

Juventus have been told to put aside any lingering hostility they may harbour by FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, with regards to the decision made to ban coach Antonio Conte.

Conte, who became embroiled in the recent match-fixing investigations during his time at Siena, has been been given a 10-month suspension from the dugout on match days, although he is still allowed to oversee day-to-day training.

The Serie A champions have taken a firm stand against the allegations directed at their manager, and Abete has now issued a plea for calm, and is adamant that the FIGC are merely doing their job.

"The sporting justice system is autonomous and must perform its role," Abete told Sky Sport Italia. "Juventus are a great club, although our relationship with them has been strained of late."

Controversy surrounding the issue took another twist when Roma coach Zdenek Zeman recently insisted the former Bianconeri midfielder should be banned from training as well.

"It is better not to speak about an issue when not directly involved in it. The way things work now, a banned coach is still permitted to train the team normally.

"Italian football, earnestly, has to work on improving its behaviour. Napoli [after they boycotted the Supercoppa Italiana prize presentation] ought to learn how to differentiate between respecting the success of their opponents and exhibiting their criticism so brazenly."

[Socrates 8328]

Conte ready for betting ban appeal

Aug 19, 2012

Antonio Conte’s appeal against his 10-month ban begins tomorrow and the Juventus Coach’s lawyer points out they are “seeking to completely clear his name.”

The tactician was suspended for 10 months in the betting trial after he was found guilty of failing to report a potential fix to authorities while he was at Siena. The only evidence against him is the testimony of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, who had tried to accuse Conte of participating in sporting fraud.

The appeal process begins on Monday afternoon and it has been confirmed Conte will be in court.

“His presence is a further sign of respect to show how much he cares about this issue,” said lawyer Antonio De Rensis.

“He wants to breathe the air of this trial and be close to those who are defending him. Tomorrow we will try to set out our reasons and contrast the theories of the Disciplinary Commission.

“We will strengthen our line of appeal, the reasons of ill feeling between Carobbio and Conte. We are seeking to completely clear his name and targeting full exoneration.

“Conte is determined and relaxed, he has incredible strength. He is able to concentrate on the field and on this sad affair.

“He was really very hard to convince to go for a plea bargain, so now he is ready to stand up in court and make his reasons heard.”