20 replies to this topic

[La Fidanzata]

Eh, this is a judiciary that would fuck up a cup of coffee if given half the chance, because "Italy" is only marginally a nation-state, let alone a democracy. To call it a banana republic would be to flatter its civil institutions.

Selective evidence is leaked to the press and it takes years for criminal trials to be resolved. The foundational evidence for the investigation are the testimonies and interviews of self-confessed criminals, who will see their own punitive sentences greatly reduced if they "cooperate" with the prosecutors. The likes of Masiello, Carobbio, Paolini, etc have too much to gain and nothing to lose, so they start naming everybody. Mass arrests are used as a show of power by an authority that few believe in and even fewer trust, and to intimidate; but most don't result in actual criminal charges. Even the way the wiretaps are procured is likely in violation of the EU's code of human rights. The judiciary doesn't need a warrant (i.e. evidence to suggest that somebody is likely/possibly committing a crime) to wiretap a telephone and they aren't checked by another civil authority. It's simply down to their own whim and caprice; they can do anything they want if it's in the spirit of "fighting the mafia".

So I don't think Italy deserves an 'A for effort' in fighting corruption if the way they do it is unjust in the first place.

[La Fidanzata]

The latest punishments:

Quote

The latest round of findings from the investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing in the Italian game has recommended points deductions for several sides including Pescara.

The Delfini are set for their first season in the Italian top flight for 20 years, having won the Serie B championship last term. However, for their part believed to have been played in the betting scandal to have hit the peninsula, prosecutors have urged that Pescara begin 2012-13 with a two-point deduction.

Elsewhere, relegated Novara have been hit with a €50,000 fine, a potential six-point deduction and recommended exclusion from next term’s Coppa Italia, whilst AlbinoLeffe have been handed a €90,000 penalty and a massive 27-point penalty. Sampdoria and Siena have each been fined €50,000.

This is the second round of punitive sentences. Punishments from the first round listed here. So far, these penalties have been very lenient when you compare them to the speculations rampant in the press. With the exception of poor Albinoleffe. May they rest in peace.

These are just the initial suggestions from one of the Prosecutors. With there being duel investigations, I don't know if any of these clubs can or will be punished again and any final disciplinary actions are at the discretion of the sporting justice. These are merely the minimal, legal suggestions. With Serie A players and clubs still to be arraigned after the EUROs, it's more than likely these penalties will get worse. Much worse, especially if the person has a higher profile to make for a well known, visible example.

But, solely due to relieved self-interest, I am so fucking happy Siena were only fined 50k. It's not over yet, but it could have been so much worse.

[La Fidanzata]

Even if the disciplinary committee accept Palazzi's recommendations, he has fucked this investigation up. Today was utterly farcical, no matter the outcome.

[adriano.]

What 'appened?

[La Fidanzata]

adriano., on 05 August 2012 - 03:07 AM, said:

What 'appened?

This.

Tried several times to get Di Vaio, Belmonte, Pepe, Bonucci, and Salvatore Masiello to agree, collectively, to a plea bargain so their lawyers would waive the right to exam Andrea Masiello's testimony in front of the disciplinary committee. He was willing to reduce his requested ban for Bonucci from 3 and 1/2 years to 3 months and Pepe's ban from a full year to three months, but Salvatore Masiello refused to cop a plea so the negotiations collapsed. Each of the defendants' lawyers then picked apart Masiello's testimony, exposed so many holes and inconsistencies, that Palazzi didn't even bother to make a rebuttal once each had made their case.

The only way this particular case progresses is if the FIGC disciplinary committee sides with the FIGC prosecutor because... he's the FIGC prosecutor. Which is more than likely what will happen anyway, but it will be a particular egregious example of "pentiti" hearsay run amok.

[Tokyo Sexwale]

Verdict day.

Juventus-manager Antonio Conte has been suspended for 10 months by the FIGC's disciplinary committee for not telling authorities about (attempted) match-fixing going on in his near environment. This is 5 months less than prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had suggested to the committee. Conte can still appeal this decision before the 20th of August at the Federal Court of Justice.

Conte's assistant manager at Juventus, and previously Siena, Angelo Alessio has been banned for 8 months.

Bonucci and Pepe have both been acquitted of any charges by the committee because of irregularities in the witness report of Andrea Masiello. Masiello had named Bonucci as directly involved and Pepe of being in the know about attempted match-fixing at Bari against Udinese in May 2010. Bonucci faced a 3 year and 6 month suspension, Pepe a 1 year ban.

Udinese, Marco Di Vaio, Salvatore Masiello, Daniele Padelli, Giuseppe Vives and Nicola Belmonte have also all been acquitted of any charges. Belmonte, however, can still be suspended for 6 months as he still faces a trial in a supposed Cesena - Bari fix.

Lecce and Grosetto have been relegated to the Lega Pro. The former will begin the new season with a €30.000 fine and a 6-point penalty, the latter have received a 3-point penalty.

Grosetto-president Piero Camili and his colleague Giovanni Semeraro have both been banned for 5 years, for knowing and taking part in the match-fixing.

Bologna have been handed a €30.000 fine, Ancona receive a bill of €10.000. Newly relegated Novara start their season with a 2 point deduction in Serie B.

All appeals have to be lodged before the 20th of August, 6 days before the start of the new Serie A season.