Conte to face FIGC over match-fixing

By foxsports
Published

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is set to face the Italian FA's disciplinary committee (FIGC) over his alleged part in a match-fixing scandal.

The coach of last season's Serie A champions has been accused by the FIGC of failing to report unsporting behaviour while at his former club Siena.

Juve players Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci will also appear in front of the committee.

Pepe is deferred for the same reason as Conte, who could face a six-month ban if found guilty, while Bonucci faces allegations of actively influencing a result during his days as a Bari player.

None of the trio are under suspicion of illicit behaviour since arriving at Juventus, who are extraneous to the current investigation which could have far-reaching effects in Italian football, especially in the lower leagues.

A statement from FIGC read: "Thirteen clubs and 45 individuals have been deferred to the disciplinary committee as part of the investigation into betting in football, related to the investigation by the Cremona and Bari public prosecutors office.

"The Federal (FIGC) prosecutors have deferred Lecce and Grosseto for direct responsibility while Ancona, Siena, Novara, Torino, Varese, Albinoleffe, Bari, Udinese, Portogruaro, Sampdoria and Bologna have been deferred for strict liability.

"Antonio Conte (is deferred) for violating article 7, point 7 of the sporting code for ignoring their obligation to inform the prosecutors of the facts relating to the sporting malpractice pertaining to the game between Novara and Siena on May 1, 2011 after having referred to it in the pre-match meeting held a few hours before kick-off."

Serie B clubs Lecce and Grosseto both face the prospect of relegation to the third division while Serie A side Siena could be docked points.

Games involving those clubs, and many others, have been examined by the FIGC as part of an investigation into match-fixing, leading to Thursday's deferrals.

The first hearings are set to take place next week in order to determine sanctions before the start of the 2012/13 season.