It seems clubs, managers and players of Italian Football never learn their lesson, or learn from an example. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is finding itself in a similar situation as in the 1980′s and 2006, being forced to rid football of match-fixing and scandal once again. “Calcioscommesse” has rocked the Italian headlines, well, except for Juventus’ supposed contract for Robin Van Persie which is apparently locked in someone’s desk. At the heart of calcioscommesse is the aforementioned Juventus, all thanks to manager Antonio Conte, Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci. The Bianconeri trio are being accused for their individual involvement in match-fixing during the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.
During his tenure as manager of Siena, Conte allegedly failed to report match-fixing between Siena and Novara in 2011. Conte has claimed his innocence on different occasions, but it’s hard to believe. What “innocent” man would propose and be willing to accept a plea bargain in which he’d serve a three-month ban and €200,000 fine. The FIGC was quick to reject Conte’s plea deal and now the Scudetto winning manager could face a 15-month ban for his actions. Pepe and Bonucci have both been indicted for the Udinese and Bari match on May 9, 2012. Pepe faces similar charges as Conte. The winger failed to report alleged acts of sporting fraud to officials, while Bonucci’s situation is a little more serious. The former Bari defender is being accused of direct involvement in sporting fraud, which resulted in the Bari-Udinese match ending in a draw. Bonucci could face a ban of three years and six months, topping the 26-month suspension handed to Atalanta’s Andrea Masiello this morning.
The trio was given support by club president Andrea Agnelli, which came as a shock. Juventus is infamously known for its involvement in the 2006 scandal, resulting in the clubs relegation to Serie B. Juventus should do what ever it can to separate itself from the recent scandal, but Agnelli’s support does quite the opposite. The future of Bonucci, Conte and Pepe casts doubt on the Bianconeri. If the trio faces punishment by the FIGC for its involvement it would definitely cause problems for the upcoming campaign. It’s unsure how this is going to work out for the club, but at least Juventus fans have Van Persie’s potential arrival to take their minds off calcioscommesse.
Are you an Inter, Roma, Milan or Napoli fan? You might want to inform yourself of all the facts before you write anything for the Score (the Score may wnat to consider making sure you do this). In Italy, a plea bargain is not an admission of guilt. Especially with sporting trials that presume someone is guilty until he/she must prove they are innocent. You may want to read the article by Susy Campanela on the UK Football italia website. She took the time to research the actual facts. What I don’t undestand is why when Inter and other clubs entered plea bargains for fake passports for their players, the FIGC did not publish the clubs or players. With regards to Conte, its one player’s (who addmitted he is guilty) testimony vs 23 other players who stated that Conte did not know about the fix.
Agreed, Dom. More slander…and after they’ve returned to the Juventus of old, nonetheless. Yawn.
I usually enjoy the writing on this site, but this is a pretty misleading article. Despite the contents of this piece, no match-fixing is alleged to have taken place in 2012…both Pepe and Bonnuci joined Juve in the summer of 2010 so the allegations against them are based on events with their previous teams and BEFORE joining Juve.
The tone of your article suggests direct involvement of Juventus, which is false.
The author never hinted that Juventus was directly involved. He said explicitly that INDIVIDUALS were in trouble, not the club. That Conte, while at Siena and Bonucci in a Bari-Udinese game, were the problems. Why don’t you guys read the article instead of come to fantastical conclusions to make yourself sleep better?
Dear luciusETRUR,
(Michael Tomasone please note !)
Your web –browser probably didn’t get the Michael Tomasone’s article first paragraph ( copied below for your convenience) He cunningly portrays Juventus/ Bianconeri as the accused. When in actual fact Juventus has absolutely nothing to do with Scommessopoli.
Yet .. .. Tomasone writes this in his opener !!
“At the heart of calcioscommesse is the aforementioned Juventus,( RUBBISH) all thanks to manager Antonio Conte, Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci. The Bianconeri trio (RUBBISH) are being accused for their individual involvement in match-fixing during the 2011 and 2012 campaigns”.
1. Juventus are not at the heart of Calcioscommesse – totally incorrect!!!
2. No “Bianconeri Trio” is accused of anything. The players involved are not being accused as Bianconeri. They are being accused as players of other teams.
The only instance where Juventus MIGHT be involved, is because if FIGC gets its way, yet again<>, Juventus will be the club that will suffer most collateral damage.
Did Michael Tomasone mention this?? .. of course he didn’t !!! Oh but yes, .. he did mention that <> – yet another blatant load of RUBBISH ! As others before me explained, a Plea Bargain in Italy is NOT an admission of Guilt.
As highlighted by many, this article is laced with a large amount of poorly disguised “anti-Juve babble” rendering Michael Tomasone’s contribution worthy for the trash can
This article is a discrace. It doesnt even state the facts correctly. None of the events happened in 2012.
In italy there is an article in the law that u may do a plea bargain without admitting u are guilty. For the sake of getting things overwith.
There is a different legal system in Italy, and u should at least research abit before writting.
The author of this article clearly does not know what they’re talking about regarding the Calcioscommesse case. I hope they didn’t receive money to write this. This person is not qualified to comment on this subject and in fact has no place in sports journalism whatsoever as they have done very little to no research on the subject and went ahead and commented on the situation nonetheless. It’s also an insult to sports journalism and journalism of every kind if this person is a professional. It’s inaccuracy is also disrespectful to Italian Football fans around the world.
What’s particularly discomforting is that the article is dated as being posted August 3rd, which means they have not even investigated the recent reports that are very informative.
I am quite disappointed as I enjoy The Score and The Footy Show as a source for Italian football news and commentary.
If indeed the author receives money from The Score/Footy Show, perhaps they can be given another position as an assistant to the assistant of the guy that makes sure there’s soap and paper towels throughout the Score headquarters.