Atalanta may face six-point penalty
Reuters - Friday 18 July 2008, 16:15
Serie A side Atalanta could be
given a six-point penalty this season if they are found guilty
of attempted match-fixing last term, the Italian football
federation (FIGC) said on Friday.
Livorno, relegated last season, may suffer the same points
deduction in Serie B if an Italian federation commission decides
against them.
A ruling is expected at the start of next week, FIGC said in
a statement.
Atalanta's Gian Paolo Bellini and former Livorno captain
David Balleri were charged by the federation earlier this month
with seeking to fix the results of the two league games between
the clubs last season.
The first on Dec. 23 ended in a 1-1 draw while Atalanta won
their May 4 home encounter 3-2 with a late goal. After the match
some Livorno players chased their opponents into the dressing
rooms.
Balleri and Bellini could face bans of three years if found
guilty while Livorno brothers Antonio and Emanuele Filippini
could be suspended for five months along with team mate
Alessandro Grandoni for their involvement.
The clubs and the players have denied the accusations.
Italy suffered a match-fixing scandal in 2006 when Juventus
were demoted.
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