CONI reduces match fixing sanctions

The Arbitration Court of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) cut the match-fixing penalties for Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina.

The Arbitration Court is the highest level of the sports justice system in Italy.

The three clubs had original penalties greatly reduced but AC Milan did not get its eight-point penalty revoked.

Lazio, originally demoted to Serie B, had its points penalty slashed from 11 to 3 while Juventus, which was also sent to Serie B, had been docked 30 points but its penalty went from 17 points to 9.

Fiorentina had a cut from 19 points to 15.

Reggina, the only other club involved in the match-fixing scandal, is still awaiting a decision on its appeal.

"It recognises at least in part the enormous effort and spirit of sacrifice shown by the club in renewing its internal structure and promoting the values of the sport to the benefit of the whole of the national game," said representatives of club Juventus.

"It's not a total victory because I point out yet again we haven't seen all the light shone on the truth. But I accept the court's ruling in good faith," said Claudio Lotito, Lazio's president.

There was speculation that officials were concerned about safety, especially for fans at Saturday's Milan match, if the rulings were announced before the weekend.

Transcripts of intercepted telephone conversations between Luciano Moggi, then general manager of Juventus, telling the head of Italy's referees' organization which officials to appoint to specific Juventus matches, were published in newspapers in May.

Moggi was banned for five years from any involvement in sport for using his power and influence at Italy's most successful club and for controlling the referees and high-ranking FIGC officials.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.