Match-fixing: 37 charged
2007-07-10 16:48
Milan - Naples magistrates charged 37
people on Tuesday over Italy's match-fixing scandal including
former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi.
Last year a sports tribunal stripped Juventus of their last
two Serie A titles and relegated them to Serie B after being
found guilty of match-fixing, while AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio
and Reggina all started last season with points deductions.
Moggi was banned from football for five years.
The Naples investigation is a separate probe to that held
last year with 48 people originally accused of trying to
influence the result of 40 Serie A matches, 15 of which did not
feature in the original trial.
However, the Naples magistrates said in a statement that 37
people had now been charged with sporting fraud linked to 29
matches in the 2004-05 championship.
The statement did not say if any of the matches were
different from the previous trial.
When news of the new Naples investigation broke in April,
Italian football fans feared it would lead to further sanctions
for clubs following the demotions and points deductions suffered
last season.
It now looks highly unlikely that clubs will be hit a second
time but Moggi may be among those facing further punishment,
possibly including prison.
Referees, club directors and former Italian federation
officials were among the 37 charged.
Juventus will start next season back in Serie A after
achieving immediate promotion last season.