By Andrew Warshaw
August 10 – Antonio Conte, who led Juventus to the Serie A title last season without losing a single game, has been banned for 10 months for his role in the Italian match-fixing scandal.
In the most sensational development so far in a crisis that has rocked Italian football to the core, Conte (pictured above and below), regarded as one of the finest emerging coaches in Europe, was accused of failing to report alleged match-fixing involving his former club Siena in the 2010-11 season.
Conte, 43, spent 13 years at Juve, winning five league titles, and won 35 caps for Italy.
He was part of the squad which finished runners-up at the 2000 UEFA European Championship and, as well as managing Juventus and Siena, has also been in charge of Arezzo, Bari and Atalanta.
Conte, whose assistant coach Angelo Alessio was also banned, is set to appeal the decision and Juventus said both retained their full support.
“Juventus reiterates its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio in the hope the next stage of the process will finally prove their innocence,” read a Juventus statement.
“A group of legal professionals have been appointed by the individuals concerned and, with the full support of the club, is already working to prepare grounds for an appeal.”
Charges against Conte of direct involvement in match-fixing were dismissed last month, but the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said it was satisfied he was aware it was taking place during his time with Siena.
Interestingly, Conte had a plea bargain deal rejected by the Italian federation.
He had put forward a proposal which would have seen him serve a three-month suspension and pay a fine of €200,000 (£160,000/$250,000).
Siena, meanwhile, last week accepted a six-point deduction in their own plea bargain deal.
Grosseto and Lecce, meanwhile, have both been demoted from Serie B, the Italian second tier, for the 2012-2013 season for their direct involvement in match-fixing.
Both clubs have been relegated to Lega Pro, which covers Italy’s third and fourth divisions.
Former Lecce President Giovanni Semeraro, who sold the club in June, and former Grosseto President Piero Camilli have been handed five-year bans for their part in the scandal.
Four months ago, police searched more than 30 homes of current and ex-players and officials from Serie A, B and lower divisions as reports of those involved in alleged corruption intensified.
Officers also visited Italy’s pre-Euro 2012 training camp to question left-back Domenico Criscito.
In August 2011, former Atalanta captain and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni was banned for three-and-a-half years while ex-Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori received a five-year sentence and 15 other players were sanctioned for between one and five years.
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