Calciopoli & Scommessopoli In English

[Socrates 8331]

Conte set to face appeal panel on Monday

Juventus coach will begin court proceedings in the Italian capital,

with his legal team seeking a reduction of the ten-month ban.

Aug 19, 2012

Banned Juventus coach Antonio Conte is set to appear in front of an appeal panel at the Federal Court of Justice in Rome, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Conte, who led the Bianconeri to the Serie A title in 2011-12, was handed a ten-month suspension following an investigation into match-fixing.

The 43-year-old was accused of failing to report instances of match-fixing whilst at the helm of Siena, with the Italian FA (FIGC) rejecting a plea bargain from the coach in a drawn-out judicial wrangling.

"His presence in the courtroom is a further sign of respect to show how to fight this story," lawyer Antonio De Rensis was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.

"There is already a perfect harmony with this talented fellow. In addition, we will reinforce our line on appeal, the reasons for bitterness from Filippo Carobbio to Conte. Tomorrow we hope to highlight our reasons.

"On Monday you will understand why we disagree with the reasoning of the specifications."

The report states that Conte's legal team will be seeking a reduction of the ban to a time period of three to six months.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte appeal starts today

Aug 20, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte will today begin his legal fight to have his 10-month touchline ban dismissed.

The tactician is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a probe by the Italian Football Federation saw him found guilty of failing to report attempts to fix two matches while in charge of Siena.

Conte has always maintained his innocence and has taken his case to an appeal process which will start this afternoon. Conte, as confirmed yesterday, will be present.

The former midfielder’s legal team will work on questioning the credibility of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, whose testimony has landed Conte in hot water.

The court could give its ruling as soon as Wednesday.

If Conte isn’t cleared then he will at least try to have his suspension reduced, before taking his case to the next step of the appeal process which could clear him or reduce his sentence even further.

[Socrates 8331]

Betting appeal verdict tomorrow

Aug 21, 2012

The Federal Court confirms it hopes to give a verdict on the betting trial appeal “by tomorrow” after Antonio Conte and others pleaded their case.

The original betting trial concluded earlier this month with Juventus Coach Conte receiving a 10-month ban for failing to report a potential fix to authorities while he was at Siena.

Conte has appealed against the decision, while the FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi launched his own appeal against the exoneration of Leonardo Bonucci, Simone Pepe and Marco Di Vaio.

Now the judges have heard the appeals and will consider the evidence.

“We are called to some very difficult work, but will try to keep our promise to release the verdict by tomorrow,” said President of the Federal Court Gerardo Mastandrea.

Conte stated in his testimony today that he is “counting on being back on the bench for the game against Parma [on Saturday].”

[Socrates 8331]

Conte: I'm innocent and want to return

to the Juventus bench for Serie A opener

The 43-year-old has once again stressed that he did not do anything illegal,

and expects to be acquitted to return to the dugout.

Aug 21, 2012

Antonio Conte has maintained his innocence in the Scommessopoli scandal and wants to return to the Juventus bench for Saturday's Serie A opener against Parma.

The successful coach was handed a 10-month suspension for his failure to report two instances of attempted match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena, but Conte refuses to accept his punishment and has lodged an appeal.

The former Italy international is hopeful that his ban will be scrapped, and expects the judges to acquit him based on the evidence presented during a hearing on Monday.

"This entire situation is really painful for me. The accusations are not based on anything. It will be very hard for me to forget all this. This is an act of injustice and I'm confident that the judges will acquit me after reading the evidence," Conte stated to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"I am innocent and I have a clear conscience. I am very calm and feel confident. I hope to return to the bench for this weekend's game against Juventus."

Conte initially negotiated a plea bargain with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, but the disciplinary committee rejected the proposal for a three-month ban.

"I agree with the judges on one thing: 90 days wasn’t a suitable punishment - the right one is zero.

"Even if today I had the certainty of a three-month ban, my answer would have been 'no'. I didn’t do anything illegal and I didn’t fail to report anything."

Conte missed Juventus' 4-2 Supercoppa Italiana win over Napoli due to the suspension.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte's 10-month Scommessopoli ban upheld

The 43-year-old will not be allowed to take charge of the Serie A champions

on matchdays, after his appeal was rejected by the Federal Court of Justice.

Aug 22, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte's appeal against his 10-month ban following his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal has proved unsuccessful.

The trainer was suspended by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) until the end of the 2012-13 campaign after failing to report two instances of match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena, and the decision has now been confirmed by the Federal Court.

Conte maintained earlier in the week that he was innocent and had expected to be allowed to return to the Juve bench for this weekend's Serie A opener against Parma, but assistant Massimo Carrera will now assume first-team duties of the Old Lady instead.

"This situation is like an open wound for me. I am innocent and I have a clear conscience," Conte told reporters on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old will still be allowed to train Juventus throughout the week, but not coach them on matchdays.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe's acquittal was also confirmed by the Federal Court.

The duo's names had already been cleared, but prosecutor Stefano Palazzi filed an appeal against the decision, which has since been rejected.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte fails in ban appeal

Aug 22, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte’s 10-month touchline ban remains intact after he failed to clear his name in an appeal.

The tactician had been suspended for most of the season after an initial probe by the Italian Football Federation saw him found guilty of failing to report attempts to fix two matches while in charge of Siena.

Conte has always maintained his innocence and his legal team appealed the first sentence on Monday in a bid to have him acquitted – or at least get his punishment reduced.

Although cleared in relation to the Novara-Siena tie, his 10-month stop has been untouched after the charges surrounding the Albinoleffe-Siena encounter were confirmed.

The former Bari and Atalanta boss is now expected to take his case to the Italian Olympic Committee’s TNAS appeal court.

Conte's right-hand man, Angelo Alessio, has meanwhile had his eight-month ban reduced to six.

Conte continues to train the Italian champions, but assistant Massimo Carrera will take charge of the side on match days.

There is better news for Juventus players Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci who have been cleared of any wrongdoing for the second time. Federal prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had appealed the decision to acquit them during the initial hearing.

Marco Di Vaio, who left Bologna this summer for Montreal Impact, has been cleared too. As have Nicola Belmonte and Salvatore Masiello.

Daniele Portanova of Bologna has been banned for six months, while Siena man Emanuele Pesoli’s three-year ban has been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Lecce’s exclusion from Serie B has been confirmed so they will be demoted to the Lega Pro. But Grossetto have won their appeal and will remain in the second tier.

Novara’s appeal against their two-point penalty has seen that deficit cut to one.

[Socrates 8331]

Court: 'Conte lucky to avoid longer ban'

Aug 22, 2012

Juventus protested that Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban was a “witch-hunt,” but one of the judges in the betting trial insists “he was lucky” not to get three years.

The Coach was cleared of one of the two counts of failing to report a potential fix while he was at Siena, but the 10-month ban was confirmed on appeal this morning, prompting a furious response from Juve.

“The Novara-Siena accusation was removed, but the other seemed very serious to us and perhaps should’ve been dealt with differently,” Federal Court member Piero Sandulli told Radio Capital.

“This is why the ban was confirmed. On Novara-Siena it seemed illogical that such a senior and experienced Coach would say in the locker room ‘we’re drawing this one.’

“However, with regards to the Albinoleffe match it’s probable the request for sporting fraud would’ve been more suitable for the issue.

“We can say that he was lucky, especially as he was cleared for one of the two accusations. With sporting fraud he’d have been banned for three years.”

The only evidence against Conte is the testimony of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, who claimed the Coach had assured his squad the results in those two games were already under lock and key.

The other Siena players who were in the team meetings disputed Carobbio’s version of events, but his testimony was still considered credible enough to inflict the ban.

[Socrates 8331]

Italian judge: Conte lucky ban was not longer

Piero Sandulli has said that the Juventus coach can count himself lucky

that he was not banned for three years for sporting fraud.

Aug 22, 2012

Federal Court member Piero Sandulli has warned Antonio Conte that he was lucky not to receive a three-year ban for his part in the Scommessepolli scandal.

The Bianconeri coach was acquitted of one of two charges relating to his failure to report match-fixing activities whilst in charge of Siena, prompting the Turin club to label his ban a "witch-hunt."

"The Novara-Siena accusation was removed, but the other seemed very serious to us and perhaps should've been dealt with differently," he told Radio Capital.

"This is why the ban was confirmed. On Novara-Siena it seemed illogical that such a senior and experienced coach would say in the locker room 'we're drawing this one.'"

"We can say that he was lucky, especially as he was cleared for one of the two accusations. With sporting fraud he'd have been banned for three years."

[Socrates 8331]

Alessio stunned by ban

Aug 23, 2012

Juventus assistant Coach Angelo Alessio has spoken of his incredulity after he was banned as part of the betting probe.

Alessio has been suspended for the same alleged offences as Juve boss Antonio Conte given that he worked alongside him at Siena in the past.

Alessio was initially given an eight-month ban, but that was reduced on appeal to six months earlier this week.

“I’m here today, but I still don’t understand why,” the former Juventus midfielder stated at a Press conference which also included Conte.

“I consider myself as a good person and I’ve always behaved in an educated manner.

“I was charged and sentenced without even being interviewed by the prosecution. I was judged without ever being heard!”

Alessio, like Conte, will now take his case to the Italian Olympic Committee’s TNAS court in an effort to be acquitted of the charge of failing to report attempts to fix matches.

[Socrates 8331]

My ban is absurd and embarrassing, fumes Conte

The Juventus boss has seen his attempts to get his 10-month suspension lifted thrown out

of court, and has now taken aim at many of the parties involved in his conviction.

Aug 23, 2012

Antonio Conte has maintained his innocence after the appeal to dismiss his 10-month touchline ban was rejected by the Federal Court on Wednesday.

The Juventus coach was suspended by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) until the end of the 2012-13 campaign after failing to notify authorities about two instances of match-fixing during his spell as Siena boss.

Conte has now seen all of his attempts to legally clear his name fail, and with Massimo Carrera now set to fill in as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season, the 43-year-old took to a press conference to share his side of the story.

“The time has arrived for us to talk after hearing what everyone else had to say,” said Conte to reporters.

“I’ve always respected the rules, on and off the pitch. I have comported myself in the right way throughout this whole affair.

"I’ve behaved in the right way, despite the fact that I have suffered some grave injustice. I’ve never placed a bet in my life, but I’ve become an advert for the betting scandal. Now I want to clear a few things up."

Conte then proceeded hit out at former player Filippo Carobbio, who provided evidence against the Bianconeri boss that helped the prosecution achieve its guilty verdict.

“They judged Pippo Carobbio, who they painted as my best friend, as a reliable and credible person, while the Federal Prosecutor has deemed me not credible.

"What the Federal Prosecutor said is chilling. I consider a plea bargain blackmail. I'm an innocent person, yet I’m told by my lawyer to plea-bargain.

“It’s embarrassing. They have ruined my credibility in the changing room. Those people who know me know what type of person Antonio Conte is.

"I’m used to winning on the field of play. It’s all absurd. Everyone needs to understand what has been done to me because it is embarrassing.

“Now I’m afraid to argue with one of my own players. If I send one of my players into the stands then this type of thing can happen.

"They believe the word of someone who has been selling games for three-and-a-half years, someone who sold his family.

“What can I do? Take a camcorder with me everywhere which records my every move? This type of thing can now happen to anyone."

The former midfielder also reacted incredulously to the words of Italian judge Piero Sandulli, who claimed that he was lucky to have escaped a three-year ban for his involvement in the scandal.

“Yesterday’s comments [by Sandulli] seemed to be the icing on the cake. I was left appalled by what was said by one of the commission’s judges, who, perhaps in order to make the papers, said some unusual things," he concluded.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte lawyers start new appeal

Aug 29, 2012

Juventus have lodged their new appeal against Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban in the betting scandal, hoping to reduce it by at least four months.

The Coach lost his first appeal, but is going to the TNAS court run by the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee).

It is reported the appeal folder has 70 pages and around 10 additional documents, including medical records, video of interviews and newspaper articles on the match in question.

Former Siena boss Conte was cleared of the first charge of failing to report a potential fix to authorities in another Serie B game against Novara, as ex-player Filippo Carobbio’s testimony was not considered to be reliable.

Carobbio’s testimony is the only evidence against Conte, so his legal team are aiming to work on that fact and discredit the player.

[Socrates 8331]

Prandelli stands up for Conte

Sep 5, 2012

Cesare Prandelli has leapt to the defence of Antonio Conte after his 10-month ban in the betting scandal. “Any of us could be dragged into it, even if only by gossip.”

The Italy Coach was asked about Conte’s appeal against the 10-month suspension for failing to report a potential fix to the authorities – charges he has always firmly denied.

“I have not changed my mind on the betting scandal,” noted Prandelli.

“Conte received a 10-month ban. What did you want, life in prison? Anyone who made a mistake has to pay, but there is a big difference between failing to report something and actual sporting fraud.

“In a career spanning 20 years any of us could be dragged into it, even if only by gossip and hearsay.”

This seems to be a reference to Filippo Carobbio, the former Siena player whose testimony is the only evidence against Conte.

Carobbio claims Conte told the Siena squad the results of two games were already agreed, but the other players at the same team meeting do not share his version of events.

Juventus Coach Conte lost the first appeal, but is now taking the matter to the TNAS tribunal.

[Socrates 8331]

FIGC 'not in conflict' with Juve

Sep 7, 2012

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete insists “there is no reason to have a rapport of conflict with Juventus.”

In recent months with the betting scandal and Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban, Juve have released several very harsh statements criticising the “dictatorial” sporting justice system.

They also implied the problems with the system stretch back to Calciopoli, while the club has the motto ‘30 on the field’ written on the team jersey – including the two Scudetti stripped in the scandal.

“The Federation has no reason to have a rapport of conflict with Juventus,” assured Abete on Sky Sport Italia.

“That is true not only because of what the Bianconeri represent, but also the value of Juventus for the Nazionale.

“Are we going to call a truce? We have different positions, but I don’t think we can talk about this as a war.”

[Socrates 8331]

Conte tribunal date set

Sep 11, 2012

Antonio Conte’s appeal against a 10-month ban will be heard in front of the TNAS tribunal on September 21.

The Juventus Coach was suspended due to his time at Siena in 2010-11, when he is accused of failing to report authorities to a potential fix.

He has always strongly denied these allegations and lost his first appeal to the Disciplinary Commission, even though one of the two charges was dropped.

It has now been announced that the TNAS tribunal will begin the hearing into Conte’s case on September 21 at midday local time.

It will be presided by Professor Massimo Zaccheo, Professor Guido Calvi and lawyer Enrico De Giovanni.

[Socrates 8331]

Marotta confident Conte ban will be overturned

Sep 12, 2012

Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta is confident that the Italian Olympic Committee’s national sports arbitration tribunal will overturn manager Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban.

“We are super confident,” Marotta said after attending a ceremony at Juventus College.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte appeal verdict postponed

Sep 21, 2012

Antonio Conte’s touchline suspension continues after an appeal court opted to postpone making a judgment on the Juventus tactician.

The Coach is currently serving a 10-month ban after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a game which he was in charge at Siena.

Conte has taken his case to the TNAS in Rome in a bid to get his ban overturned – or at least reduced.

A decision was expected today, but after hearing from Conte’s lawyers for around 30 minutes, the panel decided to postpone the hearing until October 2.

It’s understood that the decision was taken in order to give Conte’s legal team more time to gather evidence.

[Socrates 8331]

Inter Milan accused of 'spying' on Moggi

Sep 28, 2012

Only weeks after Christian Vieri was awarded €1 million in damages because former club Inter Milan 'spied' on him, a private investigator has claimed the Nerazzurri also targeted the then Juventus managing director Luciano Moggi.

Juventus fans waves his 'I hate Inter' scarf during Luciano Moggi's trial in 2010

Working in conjunction with Telecom Italia, Inter have been accused under oath by Emanuele Cipriani of ordering illegal wiretaps on the telephones of Moggi and fellow former Juve director Antonio Giraudo as well as former referee Massimo De Sanctis and the GEA World sports agency, controlled by Moggi's son Alessandro.

The offences allegedly took place in 2002-03, although the statute of limitations on the Calciopoli case has expired, meaning Inter and their management will face no further punishment.

However, Moggi - given a lifetime ban from the game for his role in Calciopoli - promised to follow Vieri's lead and sue the club.

Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss, he said: "Vieri was being spied on, but so was I, and when it comes to us, it'll be even worse. We have requested much more than €1 million in damages, but I can't remember the exact sum.

"I am sure my ban from football will be resolved soon. Will I return to the role of director? At the moment I am enjoying myself doing the job of a journalist. Some say I still run Italian football. That's just an urban myth."

[Socrates 8331]

Conte set for ban reduction

Oct 2, 2012

Reports suggest that Juventus boss Antonio Conte should have his suspension reduced by the TNAS appeal court.

The tribunal in Rome will reconvene on Tuesday to examine further evidence provided by the tactician’s lawyers.

Although a verdict may not be given today, Conte looks set to have his 10-month touchline ban downgraded.

The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is suggesting that the punishment will be slashed to a six-month stop, while the Corriere dello Sport is claiming that his suspension could be cut to just four months.

The Coach is currently banned from match-day duties after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a game which he was in charge at Siena.

Conte has always insisted that he is innocent.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte appeal verdict on hold

Oct 2, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte will have to wait until October 7 at the latest to find out the result of his appeal against a 10-month ban.

Conte is currently suspended from touchline duties after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix the outcome of a Siena game while he was a tactician in Tuscany.

The Coach’s legal team spent two hours with judges at the country’s National Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday in a bid to get his sentence rescinded or at least reduced.

His defence want the TNAS to take into consideration the testimony of ex-Siena player Salvatore Mastronunzio.

One of Conte's lawyers, Giulia Bongiorno, believes the evidence from Mastronunzio could be crucial.

“We believe that it’s essential Mastronunzio is heard. His testimony can reverse the whole decision,” lawyer Giulia Bongiorno stated. "Our objective remains Conte’s acquittal.”

TNAS will now make a decision on Conte’s ban by October 7, with the reasons explaining their judgement set to be published by November 15.

Reports this morning are speculating that Conte will have his ban cut by somewhere in the region of four to six months.

Conte continues to train the side in the week, but Massimo Carrera takes charge on the touchline during games.

[Socrates 8331]

Did Conte accuser sell story?

Oct 4, 2012

There are shock claims from a showbiz agent that Filippo Carobbio wanted €15,000 to sell his story accusing Antonio Conte of match-fixing.

Juventus Coach Conte is currently sitting out a 10-month ban for failing to alert authorities to a potential fix while he was at Siena in Serie B in 2010-11.

The only evidence against him is the testimony of ex-Siena player Carobbio, who has been considered “credible” by the Disciplinary Commission.

However, today showbiz agent Fabrizio Corona – no stranger to controversy and legal problems himself – made some surprising accusations on Radio 24.

“Everyone knows they can make money from these stories,” said Corona. “I knew an interview with Carobbio could have a huge economic value, what with Conte being the Coach of Juventus.

“Carobbio and his wife came to me asking to negotiate an interview deal. It was an operation worth €15,000 for them, but I would’ve given them at most €3,000.

“In the end, Carobbio’s wife was the one who did the interview and was paid €5,000, but she didn’t get anything. It went to me for having sold the photographs and interview.”

Conte is currently fighting the ban on appeal and it’s possible this will be used as new evidence in his case.

[Socrates 8331]

TNAS to cut Conte ban

Oct 5, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte should today have his touchline suspension reduced by the TNAS appeal court.

The tactician’s lawyers have put their case forward to the tribunal in Rome and a decision is expected on Friday.

Conte is unlikely to be acquitted, but his 10-month ban should be reduced by a number of months – even if it is unclear by how many.

The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is speculating that the former Bari tactician could be back on the bench for the January 6 tie against Sampdoria.

The Coach is currently banned from match-day duties after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a game which he was in charge at Siena.

Massimo Carrera sits on the bench during match-days, but Conte is allowed to continue training the side.

[Socrates 8331]

Antonio Conte has ban reduced by six months

Juventus coach could now make his return to the Bianconeri touchline as soon as

December 9 having seen his match-day ban slashed from 10 months to just four months.

Oct 5, 2012

Juventus head coach Antonio Conte has seen his match ban reduced from 10 months to four months, meaning he will return to the touchline as soon as December.

The Italian had originally been handed the long punishment for his part in the match-fixing scandal while in charge of Siena in the 2010-11 season.

The 43-year-old former Italy international was specifically convicted of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a match during his one-year tenure before he left for the Bianconeri.

Conte has been able to help train his players this season but has been banned from any touchline activity and is unable to influence decisions during matches, which has instead been overseen by Massimo Carrera.

However, the coach’s lawyers - having failed at getting Conte acquitted - were able to convince the TNAS court that the ban should be reduced.

This means he will now be able to return to action for Juve’s clash with Palermo on December 9, one day after his ban expires and 16 match-days into the 2012-13 campaign.

[Socrates 8331]

Conte ban cut to four months!

Oct 5, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte will return to the touchline on December 9 after having his 10-month ban slashed.

The tactician was suspended from match-day duties after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a game which he was in charge at Siena.

Conte’s lawyers took their case to the TNAS court in a bid to be acquitted of the charge, but they were only able to get a reduction in his punishment.

The former midfielder’s ban will now expire on December 8, which means he will be able to return to the bench for the December 9 tie at Palermo in Week 16.

Conte, who has always maintained his innocence, has been able to continue training the side, but Massimo Carrera has taken over during matches.

The reduction isn’t enough for Conte to make his debut in the Champions League this solar year, as Juventus end the group stage against Shakhtar Donetsk on December 5.

[Socrates 8331]

Agnelli: Conte is an innocent man

Oct 5, 2012

Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has once again defended Coach Antonio Conte, after his ten-month suspension was cut to four this afternoon.

The former midfielder was banned from all match-day duties over the summer having been found guilty of failing to report instances of match-fixing whilst he was in charge at Siena.

But having taken his case to the TNAS court in a bid to be acquitted of the charges, the ruling came back on Friday that he will once again be allowed to take full charge of the Bianconeri from December 8.

Agnelli released a statement condemning the ruling, whilst also issuing his full support for the 43-year-old tactician.

“I maintain my view, which is shared by everyone at Juventus, that Antonio Conte is an innocent man and in no way guilty of the charges levelled at him,” he told juventus.com. “The confirmation of his suspension is an injustice which should prompt the entire footballing system to ask itself questions.

“We at Juventus await the return of our coach to the dugout, where he can fully demonstrate his talent and continue the work he does on a daily basis showing commitment and dedication to the team.

“After so much has been written and said about this issue, the appropriate sporting bodies must proceed with a far-reaching reform of the sporting justice system, so it can avoid perilous inconsistencies – in terms of the length and severity of sanctions – the likes of which have occurred over the last few years and which have often led to serious miscarriages of justice.

“I hope they respond swiftly to this appeal so that such injustices may never occur again in the future."

[Socrates 8331]

FIGC: 'Conte responsibility affirmed'

Oct 6, 2012

Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban was reduced to four months on appeal, but the FIGC lawyers are still satisfied “there was an affirmation of responsibility.”

The Juventus Coach has always pleaded his innocence when accused of failing to report a potential fix to authorities while he was in charge of Siena in Serie B.

An appeal to the TNAS tribunal on Friday saw his ban reduced drastically from 10 months to four, but the Federation legal team are still fairly content.

“The sanction depends on the sensibility of the judges and that means a different evaluation of the same evidence,” said FIGC lawyer Luigi Medugno.

“In any case, the Federation is satisfied with the fact that there was an affirmation of responsibility. That was our objective, also to overcome certain controversy that was brought up over the summer.”

This is referring to Conte’s original attempt to negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors, which was rejected by the Disciplinary Commission.

Conte later declared it was a huge mistake and blamed his lawyers for talking him into it.

It should be noted in Italy a plea bargain is not necessarily an admission of guilt and in this case it had a very clear statement of innocence attached to it.

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli responded to the reduction in the ban by protesting it was still not enough, as Conte is “an innocent man.”