By Andrew Warshaw
August 23 – Antonio Conte, the Juventus coach who lost his appeal against being found guilty of match-fixing, once again protested his innocence today describing the verdict against him as a disgrace.
Conte (pictured top) led Juve to the Serie A title unbeaten in his first season in charge but had his reputation shattered when he was handed a 10-month ban for allegedly permitting illegal betting while in charge of Siena.
Juve, who have installed Massimo Carrera as temporary coach with the season starting this weekend, are appealing to a higher sports court after failing to overturn the ban at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
“I am innocent,” Conte told reporters at Juve’s training ground outside Turin.
“It’s a disgrace, it’s a disgrace.
“I can say that because it is finished with them [FIGC] although there is another appeal.
“I have always respected the laws on and off the field, in this issue I have acted correctly.
“Yesterday was the cherry on the cake.
“It was something serious, something I have never seen.”
The Siena matches that came under scrutiny were against Novara and AlbinoLeffe in May 2011.
The FIGC appeals tribunal acquitted Conte over the Novara game but ruled the 10-month ban should stay for the AlbinoLeffe affair.
Three Juve lawyers said the decision not to fully acquit Conte was completely wrong, telling a news conference that evidence used against Conte came from a discredited player.
“It’s absurd, it’s absurd,” Conte continued.
“Everything that has happened to me.
“I have never bet in my life.”
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