Over 20 Italian football clubs are under investigation as the country’s latest match fixing scandal comes into full view. Italy’s football federation is looking at 61 people, 52 of whom are players, as part of the Calciocommesse inquiry. It includes former Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni with Doni’s former club and fellow Serie A outfits Siena and Novara named amongst the 22 clubs being probed. BBC correspondent Alan Johnston reports investigators have been looking at allegations against players for a number of months with the suggestion they worked with “underworld gambling interests” to alter results. Most of the 33 games being pored over are in Serie B with some top-flight games also being looked at.
Turkey’s football federation has cleared all 16 teams accused of fixing matches whilst at the same time banning two players for up to three years. Federation officials concluded that “elements of the alleged disciplinary violation [had] not materialised” in connection to the inquiry that involves champions Fenerbahce. A criminal case is still ongoing with 93 officials, players and coaches being investigated. The players banned by the federation are Turkish international Ibrahim Akin for three years and Turkish international Ibrahim Akin for two years.
Espanyol are ready to take a radio station to court after it alleged fixing took place at the club. Spanish radio station Cadena Cope reported last week that Sporting Gijon’s 3-0 over the Barcelona-based club was under suspicion. The club are demanding €3 million in compensation, with a statement from the team reading: “Espanyol will file a lawsuit against Cadena Cope and the journalist Juan Antonio Alcala to repair the honour and image of the squad.”
