And It Continues...
Ex-director accuses Juve
Saturday 12 May, 2007
The FIGC has called on former Juventus director Maurizio Capobianco to testify after claims the club gave expensive gifts to referees, the Federation and fans.
The scandal erupted when Capobianco, who worked for the Bianconeri from 1984 to 2005, made the allegations in an interview with newspaper ‘La Repubblica.’
“The Investigation Committee of the FIGC will ask Mr Capobianco to confirm what he knows, ascertaining if these facts really occurred and who are the people involved,” said a statement from investigator Francesco Saverio Borrelli.
“We hope that the former Juventus employee will want to collaborate to prove if his accusations are founded.”
If the Committee is not satisfied that there is real truth to these allegations, then Capobianco risks severe punishment for defamation - with Juventus already announcing they will seek legal advice.
“Only at the start of 2005 did I find out about at least four occasions in which Juve gave expensive items, of around £10,000 each, to two Italian referees, a member of the FIGC and one of the Covisoc,” Capobianco was quoted as saying in ‘La Repubblica.’
“These were handed over via a third party who were somehow related to the referees. These incidents go back to the start of the Antonio Giraudo and Luciano Moggi administration in 1995.”
The Calciopoli scandal has only analysed the years 2004-05 and 2005-06, so this could in theory open up another trial.
“Why do I speak out now? Because before Calciopoli what I saw where fragments of an affair that only came together to create meaning afterwards. Only now do I realise how they ruined a club with a 100-year history with the complicity of referees, journalists and the institutions.”
Capobianco also alleged that Juventus gave contracts to companies close to certain journalists for communication projects that “if Juve won the Scudetto, would be paid for, but never developed.”
He then insisted that the Semana srl company that in July 2003 took 30 per cent of Juve’s shares was “used by Moggi and Giraudo to indirectly finance the Ultras. On the balance sheet there are entries for tens of thousands of Euros per match to buy choreographies, banners and all sorts.”
Perhaps even more importantly for a club that could gain automatic promotion into Serie A next week, Capobianco insists that the departure of Moggi and Giraudo has changed nothing.
“Today Alessio Secco makes all the decisions - the same man who in the past never moved a finger without Moggi’s consent. Renato Opezzi remains, having always been Giraudo’s right-hand man. Financial Director Michele Bergero and Marketing Director Fassone are still there. They call it the new Juve, but it’s the same faces.”
As a final blast, Capobianco told ‘La Repubblica’ newspaper that Moggi had silenced even UEFA.
“I was stunned at how they managed to cover up a case when a player tested positive for cannabis. UEFA discovered it in 1997, told the FIGC and that was where it ended.”
Late Friday night Juventus released a statement denying all Capobianco’s allegations, pointing out “these statements were aimed at swaying public opinion, as he is already involved in a legal challenge with the club.
“The Bianconeri therefore intend to confront Capobianco in the appropriate venue. Juventus also confirm they have total faith in the organisation structure set out in November, one that has all the requisites to consent a correct and professional running of the club and to carry on the development proposals approved by the Board of Directors.”
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"One year without cheating doesn't cancel your past"
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Comotto: Del Piero Is A Money Grabber Comotto is one of the most highly regarded defenders in Serie A, and Fiorentina would like to sign him for next season. There have been rumours that Torino may resist the transfer, which has infuriated the 29-year-old. “I have to go - I have to go to Fiorentina. If they don't let me, I will make war,” he roared. Comotto then vented his spleen at Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero, a player he has already furiously attacked earlier this season. “It bothers me seeing footballers who, after playing four or five decent games, come to be selected for La Nazionale,” he stated, referring to ‘The Golden Boy’. “Del Piero only renewed his contract at Juventus because no one else was willing to pay him the same money.” In November of last year, Comotto had some equally harsh words for Del Piero. “Except for Francesco Totti, I don’t see any club symbols in this country,” the ex-Roma man raged. “Del Piero doesn’t count as he only renewed his contract with the Bianconeri when no other side offered him the same money. “Totti, by contrast, made a choice to reject all other teams even if they offer more money.” Comotto has been linked with a transfer to Juventus, but following these comments about the club’s symbol, this now seems highly unlikely. |
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Juventus have made a plea bargain worth £240,000 to end the second wave of the Calciopoli trial. “But it is not an admission of guilt.”
The original trial in the summer of 2006 saw the club demoted to Serie B and stripped of two Scudetti after telephone wiretaps discovered director general Luciano Moggi attempting to influence referees.
The second wave of investigations is on-going, but in order to cut short a potentially lengthy legal process, Juve have agreed to pay £240,000 to the Federation.
It will go into the FIGC’s youth and education programmes and in trial terms is split into £80,000 for each year under investigation.
“It is not an admission of guilt, but rather an act of generosity,” insisted Juve lawyer Franzo Grande Stevens.
As part of the same investigation, the FIGC Disciplinary Commission has also handed fines to the other sides involved.
Messina must pay £48,000 with a six-month ban for President Pietro Franza and former director Mario Bonsignore.
Former referee Romeo Paparesta is suspended for 20 minutes and Gianluca Paparesta, who has recently finished a long ban from the 2006 trial, has a two-month suspension with four educational events as civil service.
The trial does continue for others, though, as Moggi, former Messina director Mariano Fabiani and referees Tiziano Pieri, Salvatore Racalbuto, Stefano Cassarà, Antonio Dattilo, Paolo Bertini, Marco Gabriele, Massimo De Santis and Marcello Ambrosino saw their cases adjourned.
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Moggi And Baldini Scuffle In Court
Former Roma director Franco Baldini has accused Luciano Moggi of threatening behaviour as they both appeared in court for the GEA scandal investigation.
The GEA World was once Italy's most powerful football agencies run by Alessandro Moggi (Luciano's son) but in 2006 several figures including Baldini alleged that the agency and Luciano Moggi used their position to pressure and intimidate players and managers to sign for them and there were accusations that Juventus had pressured Fabio Capello to leave Roma for them two years earlier.
Allegations of corruption and intimidation are at the centre of the on-going investigation and Baldini has now alleged that Moggi threatened him before the latest hearing on Thursday morning.
Baldini told Il Romanista: “He (Luciano Moggi) said to me: 'Hello you piece of S***' and then he put his finger to my face and said: 'Watch it otherwise it will all end badly', and I responded: 'If I was you I wouldn't aggravate your position'.”
If Baldini's latest revelations are taken into consideration by the court then Moggi could find himself in even deeper waters following this latest outburst.
The case continues
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Juventus could be in hot water as UEFA are on the precipice of deciding whether or not to open an investigation against the club relating to alleged racial abuse of Inter striker Mario Balotelli during the Champions League match against Bordeaux.
Media reports suggested racial abuse towards the striker was heard coming from the Juventus fans in the Stade Chaban-Delmas during the 2-0 loss to the French side on Wednesday.
The supposed incident came just a day after Juve were sanctioned and fined €20,000 by the Italian FA for racist chants against Balotelli during Sunday's clash against Udinese.
UEFA are now on standby and ready to launch an investigation into the reported incidents in France. The federation's communications spokesman Thomas Giordano has confirmed they are awaiting the referee and delegate's match report before deciding whether to take action against the club.
"Once we receive the referee's report it will be filed to the disciplinary commission who decides whether or not to open an investigation," Giordano told ANSA.
"The reports should arrive [at UEFA HQ] in Nyon on Friday at the latest. An investigation could be opened based on witness statements, media or television reports, but only after we receive the delegate's and referee's reports."
Juventus could be in trouble if found guilty as UEFA take a zero tolerance approach on racism.
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Juventus medics Bartolomeo Goitre and Luca Stefanini face three month bans after the Italian Olympic Committee's (CONI) power of attorney requested a suspension in relation to the Fabio Cannavaro bee sting case.
The centre-back tested positive for an illegal substance at the start of the season after he was given an anti-allergen for a bee sting. No punishment was taken against the player after CONI's initial investigation. However, the authorities were not pleased that they had not been informed by the club over the treatment and medicine Cannavaro received.
Tuttosport now reports a request has been filed to the Italian National Court of Antidoping (
The CONI claims Goitre and Stefanini broke article 3.3 of the penal code "for non-cooperation of any person whether or not affiliated in compliance with the
It is alleged that the medics failed to provide the necessary documentation to the CONI when prompted during Cannavaro's doping test.
They now face between a one and six month ban. The TNA are expected to rule on the matter, and a decision could be reached within the next 24 hours.
Cannavaro and Juventus do not form part of the investigation, having been cleared during the initial study earlier this year.
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INTER MISSING AT LEAST ONE PENALTY.
Juve 2-1 Inter: Dec. 5, 2009
Sacani was immediately under the pressure. At the 5th minute, Sissoko was shooting while he was bothered by Muntari from behind, he let it go. But at the 10th minute, the refereed didn't see a penalty for Inter. After a corner, Canavaro buries Samuel's arm and preventing him from jumping. Mourinho got sent off after the advantage for Juve for applauding Saccani, he was alerted by the fourth official Peruzzo. In the second half at the 25th minute, Samuel fouled Del Piero but the second yellow was not given. Same thing with Grosso (foul Eto'o but nothing happened) but received a yellow for the tactical foul on Balotelli. At 30' another doubt for a penalty for Inter involving Cacares on Milito. The attacker tries but the contact destroy the foot. In the final minute Melo reacts against Balotelli with two elbows to the chest. The Inter player collapse on the field with his hands on his face. The melee breaks out. A situation involves Chivu and Sissoko (not seen, video evidence?). Buffon was furious against Thiago Motta. Saccani shows only the second yellow card for Melo.
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2:04 - 2:23
HANDBALL BY FELIPE MELO. PENALTY DENIED AGAINST INTER
Coppa Italia Inter 2-1 Juve: Jan. 28, 2010
Damato didn't see the clear handball by Melo, De Luca (lineman) also didn't help much.
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DIAKITE - DEL PIERO: THERE WAS NO PENALTY
The penaly awarded to Del Piero was incomprehensible in tribute to Juventus
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1-1 WAS OFFSIDE.
Serie A: Livorno 1-1 Juventus
Legrottaglie was offside for a few centimeters on the free-kick by Diego which generated the 1-1.
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Juve 3-2 Genoa: Feb. 14, 2010
Del Piero was tripped by himself and it was outside of the PK area.
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Ajax 1-2 Juve: Feb. 18, 2010
There should be one penalty for a foul by Chiellini on Suarez.