Atalanta docked six points for their role in Italian match fixing affair

By David Gold

August 9 – Newly promoted Atalanta will start the Serie A season with a six point penalty for their role in the match fixing affair which has rocked Italy, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed today.

The club’s captain, former Italy international Cristiano Doni (pictured), has also been suspended for three-and-a-half years, effectively sending him into retirement at the age of 38.

Another significant former Italian international, the former Bologna forward Beppe Signori, has been banned for five years from all footballing activities, with the FIGC indicating that any attempt he makes to become involved in the game is likely to be prevented.

In total 17 individuals were suspended from football for varying periods, and another 17 teams were handed points penalties and fines.

“We are counting on reducing the points penalty on appeal, we have strong hopes,” said Atalanta lawyer Luigi Chiappero.

Serie B Ascoli will start the season six points down, and Alessandria Calcio have been demoted from the Italian third division.

Benevento, also of the third tier, have been docked nine points, and league rivals Piacenza four.

Ravenna were excluded from the Italian League pyramid entirely for their role in the affair, whilst another third division team, Cremonese, whose game against Paganese last November sparked the investigation, have been docked six points.

Serie A outfit Chievo Verona avoided a points penalty after paying a fine last week instead in exchange for them pleading guilty and co-operating with investigators.

The investigation by Italian police found an organised match fixing system in the lower leagues, with 18 games apparently manipulated.

The scandal comes just five years after the infamous Calciopoli affair which saw Juventus stripped of two league titles and relegated to Serie B for collaborating to influence the selection of referees in Serie A games, whilst other teams including AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, were also penalised.

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