16 May 2006

Linesman Pulled from European Cup Final

Norwegian Ole Hermann Borgan has been dropped from the European Cup final between Barcelona and Arsenal after he was photographed wearing a Barcelona shirt. At the request of a local newspaper Borgan was asked to wear shirts for both clubs but only had a Barcelona shirt :

Serie A Scandal : More on Moggi, Lazio in Deep, Meani At Heart of Milan's Involvement, Fiorentina Blackmailed

22 December 2004 : Juventus director Luciano Moggi and Juventus CEO Antonio Giraudo discuss former Roma coach Zdenek Zeman who in July 1998 accused Juventus of doping. Juventus club doctor, Riccardo Agricola, was found guilty of administering banned steroid EPO between 1994-1998 however the club escaped punishment.

Moggi : Zeman? We must do something to him. I don’t know a system. Pity. We must hit him with a piece of wood. We need to take all the haemorrhages, cause him damage, invent something, remove a player from him, find something

9 February 2005 : Juventus director, Luciano Moggi, speaking with the referee designator Paolo Bergamo

Moggi : Now I'll tell you what I've learned or studied
Bergamo :We'll see what happens my studies or findings
Moggi : Let's look a bit
Bergamo : We'll see if I've studied the thing better  That we put in the first line of the first teams? Of the matches?

Moggi : Let me get a piece of paper because I looked it over today pretty well
So I came out with Inter-Roma
Bergamo : Yes
Moggi : Juventus-Udinese
Bergamo : yes
Moggi : Reggina-Milan
Bergamo : Yes
Moggi : Fiorentina-Parma, that this game can not be not place in this position
and Siena-Messina
Bergamo : Yes
Moggi : I picked 5 but I think you can put it also a at 4 but, its not that, but 
Siena-Messina looks like an important enough match to me anyway, no?
Bergamo : Then there is also Livorno-Sampdoria that in the first round of matches against this club there was a mess. However, Ok go ahead, anyway, this will not change
Moggi : I know of teams that like Livorno e Sampdoria that in reality are a little more at ease
Bergamo : Well ok go. Anyway, this won't change things , we can even add another one if we want to but the refs that we have available for the first phase are few. Tell me
Moggi : I put  Bertini in charge
Bergamo : Uh
Moggi : Paparesta is coming back
Bergamo : No, Paparesta he's not returning
Moggi : Returns Friday
Bergamo : Are you sure
Moggi : Positive
Bergamo : But Gigi told me that this match with Uefa is going to keep him out until the 12th?
Moggi : I told you that the 12th when is it?
Bergamo : Saturday
Moggi : No, no, he's returning Friday evening. Bertini, Paparesta, Trefoloni, Racalbuto,
I put them down for Tombolini but Tombolini screwed everything up with Lazio, I'm not sure this guy here the way he is will screw things and give up penalties
Bergamo : Uh
Moggi : And these were the refs that I put in this grid
Bergamo : And Rodomonti in place of Tombolini, no?
Moggi : .Rodomonti in place of Tombolini, is ok also
Bergamo : So then Friday night it will be the same you will see
Moggi : I believe this thing could be the one grid or a grid
Bergamo : Therefore, I don't have Paparesta. I had 4. I had  Bertini, Racalbuto, Rodomonti & Trefoloni. Sincerely I wanted Tombolini to be out one match because he made a mistake otherwise they will never be punished
Moggi : Yes, yes, no, no, no. Hey? Look I will now tell you it could be that I'm mistaken
I have to make people under me happy no? If you for example don't punish Collina and Rosetti, the other are all authorized
Bergamo : In fact this. Collina and  Rosetti I didn't put them in at all , eh?
Moggi : No, to tell you but the others are authorized to say if they do it we can also, they don't have to break our balls
Bergamo : I have them written down. Bertini, Rodomonti, Trefoloni, then you tell me Paparesta, is better. Paparesta comes back & he should be judged. The important thing is that he returns on Friday because Inter-Roma is going to be played on Saturday.
Moggi : No, no Friday he is returning. No, no, there are no problems. I believe this will be or will not be a problem on this grid. I think. I think that, in soccer no one ever knows, if they create a problem or not but...
Bergamo : No, but I also believe that this is the only thing that I don't care about but I'm not interested if Bertini goes and refs Reggina-Milan. That it will be his 6th time he refs Milan and from that time it will then be blocked. Have patience oh He won't ref Milan-Juventus but this isn't what we are afraid of because he already refed the away game therefore the 12th of May 2006

Mystery Man Meani At Heart of Milan Involvement

April 2005 : Leonardo Meani, Milan's referee liaison, telephones linesman Gabriele Contini who officiated the league match between Milan and Brescia on the 9th of April which finished 1-1.

Meani : If it hadn't been for me but always
Contini : (laughs)

This comment is unclear but the speculation is that Meani arranged for Contini to officiate this match.

April 2005 : Referee designator Paolo Bergamo discusses the league match between Milan and Chievo on the 20th of April (Milan won 1-0) with the vice president of the referees commission Pierluigi Pairetto

Bergamo : And one who has been already for two months which we should have put him and there was some pressure and therefore we put Puglisi to direct Milan-Chievo? (Puglisi is a linesman and supposed known Milan supporter). Yesterday there were mistakes and therefore they ask 'why do you penalize us?' That is why they did not speak with me? I'll tell you the truth, they called Gennaro (Mazzei, President of the linesmen)

April 2005 : FIGC Vice President Innocenzo Mazzini praises 'our friend' in a conversation with Juventus CEO Antonio Giraudo. The match is question is between Siena and Milan on the 17th of April which Siena won 2-1, Pierluigi Collina was the official though the friend in question is linesman Duccio Baglioni

Mazzini : However I must say that our friend was exceptional at Siena

April 2005 : Linesman Gabriele Contini revelation about linesman Duccio Baglioni, who officiated the Siena-Milan match, startles Leonardo Meani.

Contini : He's Pairetto's friend (vice-president of the UEFA Referees Commission Pierluigi Pairetto), if you want to know he's the one who books the tickets for him, that Pairetto goes to eat at his house, not at the restaurant, at his house.

Mazzei the telephones the president of the linesman, Gennaro Mazzei, to complain :

Meani : "That c*nt, that c*nt, I really don't want him (linesman Duccio Baglioni), I don't want him, I never asked for him nor wanted him, this is one now he's (who?) also asking me to be very careful, not to make mistakes because Galliani (Milan Vice President) is very angry, obviously. So tell him to be very careful form now on till the end of the season however Gennaro, is very angry, tell him that from now on he must not make any f*cking mistakes because he's very angry, therefore also on Wednesday try to send two intelligent ones (linesman).

Lazio's President Asks For Help

February 2005? :  Referee designator Paolo Bergamo talks to Vice-president of the UEFA Referees Commission Pierluigi Pairetto about a meeting Lazio President Claudio Lotito had with FIGC Vice President Franco Carraro. It's alleged Corraro told Bergamo to help out Lazio for their match at Chievo. Lazio won 0-1 with a 77th minute goal. Chievo had two players sent off in the 82nd and 84th minute. Lazio had Couto sent off in the 88th minute.

Bergamo : Lotito was looking for me, he wanted to know, he spoke with Carraro I think on Friday, on the request for attention for his case because you know he’s one of the flag bearers pro Carraro, pro Galliani (league chairman and Milan Vice President) but Carraro told you something and he did not tell you anything? Try to understand Gigi, he wants to know just if Carraro told you something, to keep into consideration Lazio’s position and his own, because he is doing a lot…

February 2005 : Lazio President Claudio Lotito talks with FIGC (Italian FA) Vice President Innocenzo Mazzini about the above meeting?

Lotito : Therefore he (Bergamo?) spoke with him (Pairetto?)? This is a positive thing, so it means that he (Bergamo?) is loyal with me but he (Bergamo?) did it specifically or generically? In the sense for a conduction, even a future one, not just specific for a thing
Mazzini : No, no. He (Pairetto?) confirmed it to me, not only but it’s a pressing intervention
Lotito : You must work on both of them and talk to them clearly, start, start, we must see and start to say, did you understand? To establish, to establish, understood?

February 2005? : FIGC (Italian FA) Vice President Innocenzo Mazzini is discussing Lazio's upcoming match against Parma (27 February 2005) with Lazio president Claudio Lotito. Lazio won the match 2-0 though there didn't appear to be any controversy in the victory according to independent reports. Mazzini is warning Lotito...

Mazzini : We must avoid relegation in every way, eh?...
Lotito: On Sunday I have Parma? Which is important
Mazzini : They will arrest you, they will arrest you
Lotito: And why should they?
Mazzini: Ask those guys from Parma, ask the Parma guys!

April 2005? : Lazio president Claudio Lotito turns his attention to the match against Bologna (17 April 2005). According to the allegations the appointment of referee
Paolo Tagliavento was arranged by Carraro, Bergamo, Pairetto, Mazzini and Lotito.
Lazio won 1-2, Oddo scored from the penalty spot (didn't appear to be any controversy) to tie the game and Rocchi scored the winner.
  
Lotito : The problem now is at Bologna. Listen to me look that Bologna is important, you know why or what he (who is he?) did to me Gazzoni? (who is Gazzoni?) You know what he told me Sunday next to me? I will make a declaration. I told him ok do the declaration
Mazzini: You do the declaration, we take the points

Bergamo Passes a Message Onto Fourth Official Ahead of Roma vs Juve

Referee designator Paolo Bergamo asks an employee, Fanzi, to pass on a message :

Bergamo : Listen, I need a courtesy. Can you call Francesca, Marco’s wife (Marco Gabriele, fourth official of the Roma vs Juve match) and tell him that tonight he needs to leave the mobile phone on so that if there was the need for something between the first and second half or also to take it on the pitch, it’s the same since there. Eventually only I call him but if there was any need I would be able to contact him. Tell him that it should be a secure mobile and then however do it through Francesca, not directly with him.

Fiorentina Blackmailed

Full transcripts of taped conversations between Fiorentina president Diego Della Valle and FIGC Vice President Innocenzo Mazzini have not been published (in English). Last season Della Valle had been fighting for an equal distribution in television revenue (Italian clubs do not have a collective television rights deal) and complaining about Adriano Galliani's dual role as Milan Vice President and President of the league. The club, who were involved in a relegation battle all season, claimed there was a conspiracy against them. Diego's brother, Andrea, telephoned Mazzini to complain about what he perceived to be biased officiating. Mazzini told Andrea :

"You want to wage war but you don't know how to go about it. Tell me what I can do to help."

Mazzini is alleged to have told Andrea that he would provide/assign a referee that would rule in Fiorentina's favour 50% of the time and meet the referee selector in a private room and admit they had made a mistake adding "If you don't, you'll get it in the arse."

Ballack Rejected Man United

"Manchester United came in quite early for me but really I saw the possibilities of Chelsea being much greater. They are a stronger team and also London has its attractions, particularly as a family man, I have got my family. In the final analysis, Chelsea's aims for the coming years attracted me." - Michael Ballack

Chelsea Confirm Tevez Interest

"We have looked at him. He is a good player and does a good job but reports linking us with bids for him are not right. I would be surprised if we saw him in a Chelsea shirt this season." - Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon

Mancini Dismay At Fixed Championship

Inter coach Roberto Mancini has spoken on the match fixing scandal :

"It is difficult to make an evaluation when you play in fixed championships, in fact it is impossible."

"I've read of a referee talking about a game from 2001 and now we are in 2006, so you can imagine what I think about all that has happened. It is a very serious matter. The most serious ever heard of in the history of world football. I am horrified, I didn't think you could have such a thing as this - an organisation on high that was controlling everything. I don't think that's happened anywhere else in the world. It's a really bad thing for everyone and not just for me. I think a lot of journalists are involved as well."
 
"I too was a Juventus fan, from a boy to when I was 15. But that was a different Juventus."

Berlusconi Wants Titles Back

"We demand they give us back the two league titles (2004-2005 & 2005-200) that are our due. We're tired of suffering injustice. " - Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi

Zidane Blasts Galacticos Policy

The usually introverted Zinedine Zidane has blamed former President Florentino Perez's galacticos policy for the lack of silverware at the Bernabeu in recent years :
 
"I think it was a shame that people talked about Zidanes (expensive superstars) and Pavons (players from Real Madrid's youth team) because it's clear that it divided the team. That was very bad for the team and the people who talked about 'Galacticos' and
all that created big problems for us."

"The problem is that there were a lot of very strong personalities in the dressing room and that damaged communication. We didn't talk straight to each other as people thought they might upset each other. We got things wrong and what hurts me most is that we haven't won a trophy. It's difficult to win all five trophies that are at stake but not winning a single one is what really hurts. Maybe it's unfair for me to retire without winning anything but it was better to leave."

Moggi Resigns

"I am here to inform everyone that on Monday I will resign as director general of Juventus and that from now on football is no longer my world. I no longer have the desire nor the strength to carry on. These people have killed my soul. All I'll focus on now is defending myself against so much bitterness aimed in my direction."
Juventus director Luciano Moggi

Italian Referee President Resigns

Tullio Lanese, president of the AIA (Italian Refereeing Association) is the latest figure to step down over the scandals erupting in Italian football.

Summary of Serie A Match Fixing, Phone Tapping & Betting Scandal

Federation Enquiry

Federation Enquiry into transcripts from Turin police phone tapping of Juventus director general Luciano Moggi in which :

Moggi discusses the appointment of referees with vice-president of the UEFA Referees Commission Pierluigi Pairetto

Moggi criticises Pairetto over the appointment of referee Herbert Fandel for the Champions qualifying match between Juventus and Djurgardens (which ended 2-2)
" What kind of f*cking referee did you send us?"

Moggi and Juventus CEO Antonio Giraudo discuss Pairetto

Moggi arranges delivery of a car (Fiat Maserati) for 'an important friend', either FIGC (Italian FA) Vice President Innocenzo Mazzini or, according to another source, Vincenzo Mussetto who appears to have no links with football. Fiat's owners, the Agnelli family, also own Juventus. Pairetto tells Enzo he has the car

Ahead of the Serie A match between Juventus and Sampdoria Mazzini tells referee Paolo Dondarini "Make sure you see everything. Even that which isn't there."

Turin Magistrates

Investigation into Juventus CEO Antonio Giraudo over false accounting over transfers. Investigations are said to have been underway for some time.

Rome Magistrates

Investigation into the running of the GEA management company, owned by Luciano Moggi's son Allesandro, over "illegal competition with use of threats and violence". Father and son are being investigated.

Parma Magistrates

Four Juventus players, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, are mentioned in an investigation into an illegal betting ring.

Naples Magistrates

Several clubs including Juventus, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, officials, referees and a journalist are under investigation for "criminal association" and "sporting fraud".
The FIGC pull a referee (Massimo De Santis) and two officials from the World Cup. The following 19 Serie A games from the 2004-2005 season are under scrutiny :

Reggina 2-1 Juventus *
Lecce 0-1 Juventus
Juventus 2-1 Lazio
Bologna 0-1 Juventus
Juventus 2-1 Udinese
Roma 1-2 Juventus
Fiorentina 3-3 Juve

Juve 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss

Fiorentina 1-0 Bologna
Inter 3-2 Fiorentina
Chievo 1-2 Fiorentina
Fiorentina 3-3 Juve
Lazio 1-1 Fiorentina

Fiorentina 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss

Chievo 0-1 Lazio
Lazio 2-0 Parma
Bologna 1-2 Lazio
Lazio 1-1 Fiorentina
Juventus 2-1 Lazio

Lazio 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss

Siena 2-1 Milan
Milan 1-1 Brescia
Milan 1-0 Chievo

Milan 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss

Lecce 3-3 Parma

Livorno 3-6 Siena

And one game from Serie B

* Juventus CEO Antonio Giraudo and director general Luciano Moggi are accused of locking referee Gianluca Paparesta and his assistants in their dressing room after the club's 2-1 defeat at Reggina in November 2004.

Milan Prepare for Shevchenko Departure

"Milan have never sold a player to make money. Shevchenko has three years left on his contract and, as far as we are concerned, he'll stay here. However, if he hands in an official transfer request, which he has not yet done, then we'll deal with the problem when it arises." - Vice-President Adriano Galliani

"We turned down an offer of £70 million a few seasons ago, because before going for Zinedine Zidane, they wanted to sign Shevchenko. For the past two years Peter Kenyon and Roman Abramovich have knocked on my door to ask for Sheva and we always turn them away. We don't need Chelsea's money and have never sold players purely for cash. Right now it's only been discussed and I still hope he won't actually leave, as then we'd have to find an alternative up to his standard."

"Shevchenko expressed this desire to go elsewhere and the club is evaluating all the options.  It's not mandatory to allow players to leave just because they want to. It's a family issue and therefore we should respect his choices, within limits. There is some sadness here, as we've spent some wonderful years together and he has always had a great rapport with his team-mates. If Shevchenko confirms his desire to leave this great club, then another world class player will arrive in his place. We want him to be happy, but there have to be the right conditions to achieve that first."
Carlo Ancelotti

FIGC Pull De Santis From World Cup

The FIGC (Italian FA) have removed referee Massimo De Santis and his two assistants, Alessandro Griselli and Marco Ivaldi, from the World Cup after De Santis was mentioned by Naples magistrates in the match fixing scandal. FIFA will not call up a replacement which means there will be 22 referees at the World Cup.

Buffon Gives Evidence To Prosecutors

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was interviewed by public prosecutors over allegations of involvement in an illegal betting ring. In the magistrates office he said :

"It is true that I placed a few bets, but only where it was allowed (i.e. not on Italian football matches). I stopped in the autumn of 2005, when it was banned for players to gamble. I have always respected the rules, both legal and disciplinary. I only ever bet on foreign football and other sports because in Italy I was not allowed to do anything else."

Rally Champ Wants Real Madrid Presidency

Two candidates for the Real Madrid presidency, former world rally champion Carlos Sainz and construction magnate Juan Miguel Villar Mir (a director at the club under former President Ramon Mendoza) will join forces in a bid to win the elections. A joint statement read :

 "We would like to confirm that after a number of meetings in the last few days, we have decided to unite our two candidatures."

If the pair are successful Villar Mir would be named president and Sainz vice-president.

Maresca Gives MOM Bonus to Charity

Sevilla midfielder Enzo Maresca, who was voted man of the match for his two goals in Wednesday's 4-0 UEFA Cup final victory over Middlesbrough, has donated his €10,000 bonus to Seville's Hospital de San Juan de Dios.

Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina Named In Match Fixing Scandal

Naples Prosecutor Giovandomenico Lepore has confirmed that Juventus, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina are under investigation for "criminal association" and "sporting fraud" in the match fixing scandal that is engulfing Italian football.

In a new development, Giraudo and Juventus director general Luciano Moggi, who is at the centre of the scandal after phone taps revealed discussions with vice-president of the UEFA Referees Commission Pierluigi Pairetto, are accused of locking referee Gianluca Paparesta and his assistants in their dressing room after the club's shock 2-1 defeat at Reggina in November 2004. The following 19 games are under investigation :

Reggina 2-1 Juventus
Lecce 0-1 Juventus
Juventus 2-1 Lazio
Bologna 0-1 Juventus
Juventus 2-1 Udinese
Roma 1-2 Juventus
Fiorentina 3-3 Juve

Juve 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss

Fiorentina 1-0 Bologna
Inter 3-2 Fiorentina
Chievo 1-2 Fiorentina
Fiorentina 3-3 Juve
Lazio 1-1 Fiorentina

Fiorentina 2 wins, 1 loss, 2 draws

Chievo 0-1 Lazio
Lazio 2-0 Parma
Bologna 1-2 Lazio
Lazio 1-1 Fiorentina
Juventus 2-1 Lazio

Lazio 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss

Siena 2-1 Milan
Milan 1-1 Brescia
Milan 1-0 Chievo

Milan 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss

Lecce 3-3 Parma

Livorno 3-6 Siena

And one game from Serie B.

Lepore revealed that 41 individuals were now formally under investigation ranging from referees, federation officials and  even journalist.

Referee Massimo De Santis was one of the referees named:

"I am available for any discussions, not only with magistrates but with the sports' bodies. I don't have anything to hide at all."

AEK Fan Charged With Attempted Murder

An AEK Athens supporter has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after he fired a flare onto a pier while a ferry bringing AEK Athens fans back from Wednesday's Greek Cup final defeat against Olympiakos was sailing into harbour. The flare struck a police officer. Three other AEK supporters face charges after they caused €150,000 damage to the ferry interior.
 

Juventus Board Resign

The Juventus board have resigned in the wake of the phone tapping and fraud scandal.

Real Madrid Set July Date For Elections

Real Madrid's presidential elections, to find a long term successor for Florentino Perez, will be held on the 2nd of July.

Juventus CEO Investigated For False Accounting

The scandal at Juventus continues after it emerged the club's CEO, Antonio Giraudo, is under investigation for false accounting.

Alessandro Moggi, Like Father, Like Son

Following the phone tap scandal Roma magistrates have placed Luciano Moggi and his son Allesandro under investigation for "illegal competition with use of threats and violence" over the running of  the GEA management company, owned by Moggi's son Alessandro. GEA have 200 players and coaches on their books. In a leaked internal memo GEA managing director, Franco Zavaglia, tells colleagues they should show potential clients "what our organisation is without threatening anyone as has happened in the past."

Van Nistelrooy Barred From Keane Testimonial

"I wanted to pay my respects to Roy. I wasn't allowed to (play) so that was the most painful thing" - Ruud Van Nistelrooy

"I spoke to Ruud. It was unfortunate and disappointing he wasn't here but everyone has their own path to go down. " - Roy Keane

"There have been a couple of issues during the week that concerned us in terms of the spirit of the club. On such an important day, I felt that Ruud should be left out. We will be discussing it with club directors." - Alex Ferguson

It's been rumoured Van Nistelrooy got into a dressing room fight with team-mate Christiano Ronaldo.

Bridge Hurt At Nightclub

Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge suffered a cut and a bruise to his face at a London nightclub. An ambulance was called but Bridge refused treatment. Three men were arrested, one on suspicion of assault and two of using racist language. All three have been bailed.

Heart Defect Rules Out Vidmar

Australia's most capped player, 35 year old defender Tony Vidmar, has been ruled out of the World Cup after tests revealed an irregular heartbeat :

"It's come as a real shock, but I had no other choice. In the interests of my own health and the team I had to withdraw from being considered for the World Cup."

Barcelona Decide Against Shirt Sponsorship

Despite debts of €188 million, Barcelona have rejected a colossal shirt sponsorship offer from the Chinese government and will continue to be the only club without commercial advertising on their kits. President Joan Laporta said :

"The Barcelona shirt will not carry any commercial brand, the decision has been taken."