Napoli face probe after accusation of match-fixing

Published on 27/10/2012 00:59

Napoli face the prospect of heavy sanctions after the Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed it is investigating allegations of match-fixing at the Serie A club.

Former goalkeeper Matteo Gianello, now a free agent, has been accused of attempting to fix the outcome of 
Napoli’s Serie A match at Sampdoria in 2010, with defenders Gianluca Grava and Paolo Cannavaro standing accused of failing to report the incident having been approached.

A statement on the federation’s 
official website figc.it read: “The FIGC can confirm that, following an investigation by the public prosecutor of Naples, the federal prosecutor will open disciplinary proceedings in relation to the Sampdoria-Napoli match of 16 May, 2010.

“Matteo Gianello, Napoli’s former player, and Silvio Giusti, Napoli’s former coach, are accused of violating Article 7 (sections 1, 2 and 5) of the sporting code of justice. Between them, they are accused of attempting to alter the outcome of the match to secure a victory for Sampdoria in exchange for money.

“[They are] also accused of having 
approached colleagues Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava, from whom they received a refusal. But Cannavaro and Grava stand accused of violating Article 7 (section 7), in failing to disclose the approach to the federal prosecutor.”

Napoli have also been deferred as the club involved at the time, and could face a points deduction. Juventus head coach Antonio Conte was handed a ten-month suspension in August, 
subsequently reduced to four months on appeal, for his failure to report match-fixing while in charge of Siena.