Italy rocked by match-fixing scandal

Champions-elect Juventus under suspicion

Leeds accused of dressing room damage

— Italian football is hit by a match-fixing scandal as it is revealed that over 40 people are currently under investigation.
Prosecutors are talking to two senior officials from Juventus while others associated with AC Milan and Lazio are also being probed.
The investigation extends to Rome where police have searched the national football federation (FIGC) and referee association’s offices. Massimo De Santis, who is due to referee in the World Cup in Germany, is thought to have been questioned.
News of the scandal revives bitter memories of the disgrace that rocked Italy in 1980 when AC Milan and Lazio were demoted to Serie B following a match-fixing and illegal gambling scam.
Juventus seemed set to clinch their 29th Serie A title on Sunday’s but, should they be found guilty of sporting fraud, it is possible that they could be stripped of the title and demoted. Yesterday, the Juve board of directors resigned ahead of a shareholders’ meeting on 29 June.
FIGC president Franco Carraro, who is also under investigation by magistrates in Naples, resigned on Monday although he pleaded his innocence: “Over the years I have featured in many investigations from magistrates and I have always been cleared or acquitted.”

— Leeds United are to hold an internal investigation into reports that their players trashed the visitors dressing room at Deepdale following this week’s Championship Play-Off semi-final win at Preston North End.
Photographs have been published that allegedly show grafitti defacing the walls while doors and sinks are also thought to have been damaged.
North End are unlikely to seek compensation as chief executive Steve Jackson explained: “We decided it was best not to bring it to the attention of the media because it could look like sour grapes and that’s not the sort of people we are. Our thoughts are to let sleeping dogs lie with this one.”
During the game, United had Stephen Crainey and Richard Cresswell sent off and six other players booked.

— The Football League confirm that Rotherham United are set to start next season with a ten point deduction after a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) was reached with creditors on Tuesday.
FL Head of Communications John Nagle comments: “Having agreed a CVA enabling it to reduce its debts to creditors, Rotherham United have been served with a Sporting Sanction.”
The Millers have the option of seven days to lodge an appeal but, to secure the unlikely outcome of a successful appeal, it would mean they would have to prove their use of insolvency procedures was due unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances.