footballspectator

The scope of the investigations into alleged match-fixing is extending beyond Juventus to also include Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, as well as a number of players and officials.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that some 41 individuals are now formally under investigation by prosecutors in Naples, including referees De Santis (one of the 23 officials at the WC), Rodomonti, Racalbuto and various football federation FIGC officials. Up to 29 (!) legs (of 38) from the 2004-05 season may have been affected by fixed matches.

As increasingly more evidence comes to light and new revelations are made, pressure on Juventus will continue mounting. What was unthinkable until recently may slowly start becoming a real possibility: if found guilty, the Old Lady (and possibly other teams involved too) may ultimately face relegation and will have to start next season from the Serie B, just like AC Milan and Lazio did at the end of 1979-80, when they were found guilty of fixing matches.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 12th, 2006 at 13:48 and is filed under Italy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.