Atalanta risk points deduction in betting probe
Reuters - Thursday 04 August 2011, 21:01
ROME - Promoted Serie A side Atalanta are
waiting to discover if they face a seven-point deduction for the
start of the season as an Italian football federation hearing into
illegal betting completes its initial phase on Friday.
The federation prosecutor has recommended the club receive
the points deduction after a police probe into players making
illegal bets and manipulating results.
A committee must agree to the prosecutor's request before
the sanction comes into force and a ruling may arrive in the
coming days after initial legal arguments are completed on
Friday.
The Bergamo-based side look set to avoid a demotion because
they still won promotion from Serie B last term, suggesting
games were not thrown.
Atalanta captain and former Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni
risks a three-and-a-half-year ban for his alleged involvement in
betting.
Several other lower league clubs and current and former
Serie A players such as ex-Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe
Signori are also waiting to hear their fate.
Fellow top flight side Chievo have agreed to a plea bargain
of a fine to avoid further punishment after the probe also
focused on them.
Italian football had only just recovered from a 2006
match-fixing scandal which led to Juventus being demoted.
The once mighty club have struggled to rediscover their
former glory and they are yet to announce a sponsor for their
new stadium despite it opening next month.