Maroni announces plan to counter match fixing

By David Gold

June 24 – Italy’s Interior Minister Roberto Maroni has announced a plan to counter corruption in football amidst a spate of new match fixing allegations in the country.

The task force consists of polticians, police and sports officials.

Maroni said: “We have analysed what has taken place in the last few days in football betting and we have tried to work out ways of preventing it occurring again.

“We have therefore decided to create an investigative unit with the purpose of collecting information and assessing any signs of foul play emanating from bookmakers and others.

“We can’t rule out the hand of organised crime behind the illegal activities.

“I believe this to be an appropriate reaction by the world of sport and government to what has taken place.”

Earlier this month 16 people were arrested in a raid by the Cremona police, including former Italian striker Beppe Signori, who was accused of being a part of a betting ring.

The arrests were in relation to alleged match fixing in Serie B and the lower Italian leagues, with the investigation sparked by a game between Paganese and Cremona, in which it is claimed that some of the latter’s players had their drinks spiked before and during the game.

A further 28 individuals were already under investigation for alleged corruption, among whom is Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni, and other former football players including Stefano Bettarini, Mauro Bressan and former Bari captain Antonio Bellavista.

As well as these investigations, the trial of those involved in the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, in which Serie A champions Juventus were stripped of two titles and relegated to Serie B, is still ongoing and continues to cast a shadow over Italian football.

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