Socrates

FIGC hits back at Agnelli: His criticism is unacceptable The governing body for Italian football stated that the Bianconeri president's comments are beyond the pale after he accused it of operating in a dictatorial system. Aug 2, 2012 The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has responded to the comments made by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli about the legitimacy of the organisation's decisions. Earlier on Friday, the Bianconeri chief publicly criticised the governing body for Italian football as coach Antonio Conte will go on trial to prove his innocence in the Scommessopoli scandal after his plea bargain deal was rejected by magistrates. Agnelli had accused the FIGC of operating on a 'dictatorial system', and the federation has now come out to criticise the comments made by the Juventus supremo. "The FIGC and its administrative bodies operate in the full respect of the rules which guarantee the independence and autonomy of the sporting justice," a FIGC statement read. "The comments made by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli are unacceptable and go beyond the legitimate right to criticism. "They also contrast with the statements he made on July 26, in which the natural sadness at the charges was - in his own words - 'mitigated by the knowledge that the rules of the sporting justice system will achieve clarity in this match which is played in front of the various courts.'"

FIGC hits back at Agnelli: His criticism is unacceptable The governing body for Italian football stated that the Bianconeri president's comments are beyond the pale after he accused it of operating in a dictatorial system. Aug 2, 2012 The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has responded to the comments made by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli about the legitimacy of the organisation's decisions. Earlier on Friday, the Bianconeri chief publicly criticised the governing body for Italian football as coach Antonio Conte will go on trial to prove his innocence in the Scommessopoli scandal after his plea bargain deal was rejected by magistrates. Agnelli had accused the FIGC of operating on a 'dictatorial system', and the federation has now come out to criticise the comments made by the Juventus supremo. "The FIGC and its administrative bodies operate in the full respect of the rules which guarantee the independence and autonomy of the sporting justice," a FIGC statement read. "The comments made by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli are unacceptable and go beyond the legitimate right to criticism. "They also contrast with the statements he made on July 26, in which the natural sadness at the charges was - in his own words - 'mitigated by the knowledge that the rules of the sporting justice system will achieve clarity in this match which is played in front of the various courts.'"

FIGC: 'Agnelli criticism unacceptable' Aug 2, 2012 The FIGC has reacted angrily to Juventus President Andrea Agnelli’s “unacceptable” attack on their sporting justice system. The Bianconeri patron released a harsh statement today when Antonio Conte began the betting trial, in which he risks a 15-month ban. “The FIGC operates fairly in the full respect of the rules that guarantee the independence and autonomy of the Sporting Justice system,” read the Federation’s response. “The evaluations of Juventus President Andrea Agnelli are unacceptable and go beyond the legitimate right to criticism. “They also contrast with the statements he made on July 26, in which the natural sadness at the charges was – in the words of Agnelli – ‘mitigated by the knowledge the rules of the sporting justice system will achieve clarity in this match that is played in front of the various courts.’” Agnelli’s statement today was extremely critical of the entire system, which it accused of being “dictatorial” and of protecting those who confessed to sporting fraud more than those who maintained their innocence.

FIGC: 'Agnelli criticism unacceptable' Aug 2, 2012 The FIGC has reacted angrily to Juventus President Andrea Agnelli’s “unacceptable” attack on their sporting justice system. The Bianconeri patron released a harsh statement today when Antonio Conte began the betting trial, in which he risks a 15-month ban. “The FIGC operates fairly in the full respect of the rules that guarantee the independence and autonomy of the Sporting Justice system,” read the Federation’s response. “The evaluations of Juventus President Andrea Agnelli are unacceptable and go beyond the legitimate right to criticism. “They also contrast with the statements he made on July 26, in which the natural sadness at the charges was – in the words of Agnelli – ‘mitigated by the knowledge the rules of the sporting justice system will achieve clarity in this match that is played in front of the various courts.’” Agnelli’s statement today was extremely critical of the entire system, which it accused of being “dictatorial” and of protecting those who confessed to sporting fraud more than those who maintained their innocence.

Cavani for Italian Super Cup Aug 2, 2012 Edinson Cavani’s Olympic adventure is already over, so Napoli will take him to Beijing for the Italian Super Cup against Juventus. The striker was expected to miss out on the August 11 clash in China because he was in London with Uruguay. However, the South Americans were surprisingly knocked out in the first round and so his time at London 2012 is already concluded. It’s widely reported Cavani will fly back to Naples this evening so that he can begin training tomorrow morning. Napoli confirm El Matador will be going with the squad to Beijing for the Italian Super Cup on August 11.

Match-fixing prosecutor requests 15-month ban for Conte Juventus coach decided against attempting to renegotiate his plea bargain agreement and is now facing a far more severe suspension, while Andrea Agnelli was angered by events. Aug 2, 2012 The federal prosecutor in the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal has requested that Juventus coach Antonio Conte be hit with a 15-month touchline ban. The Bianconeri boss had agreed a plea bargain with Stefano Palazzi which would have seen the former Italy international suspended for three months and pay a fine of €200,000. However, the agreement was rejected by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Disciplinary Committee. There was an option to renegotiate the terms of the plea bargain but Conte, who has maintained he knew nothing of alleged match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena, decided against doing so, preferring instead to go to trial in order to try to clear his name. Consequently, Palazzi has now called for a far heavier ban for the 43-year-old, based on the evidence of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, who claimed that Conte was aware of the attempts to influence the outcome of games against Novara and Albinoleffe. "Carobbio would have got the same penalty even if he had not mentioned Conte's name," the federal prosecutor reasoned. "So there was no element of personal animosity. "Instead, we have shown that there is consistency in the player's statements." Juve president Andrea Agnelli has once again vowed to stand by the man who led the Old Lady to a surprise Scudetto success last season. "I note that the FIGC and its sporting justice system continue to operate outside of any logic of rights and fairness," the Bianconeri supremo stated on the club's official website. "Yesterday's decision by the Disciplinary Committee of the national football federation, which refused to accept a plea bargain already agreed with the federal prosecutor, is testimony to the total inadequacy of the legal system and the sports federation within which it operates. "I note again the inability to interpret the modern requirements of a high level of professionalism. "Even having chosen, against every instinct of logic, the path of plea bargaining in order to limit the damage done by a contradictory sporting justice system, we are up against a dictatorial system that robs clubs and their employees of any right to defence or honour. "The respectability of the individual is at risk and it is up to them to have the final word on what decisions should be taken, knowing that Juventus will support them at every level of court." Two members of Conte's backroom staff, Angelo Alessio and Cristian Stellini, defender Leonardo Bonucci and winger Simone Pepe have also been implicated in the match-fixing scandal.

Conte lawyers attack Carobbio Aug 2, 2012 Antonio Conte’s lawyers have begun their defence as the Juventus Coach goes to a full trial, risking a 15-month ban, in the betting scandal due to his time at Siena. Conte was charged with failing to report an attempted fix to the authorities, but the only evidence against him is the testimony of ‘pentito’ (someone who has confessed and receives a large discount on his punishment by naming other names) Filippo Carobbio. The testimony is based around a team meeting in which Conte allegedly stated there were ‘agreed’ results against Novara and Albinoleffe. However, 23 other players present at the same meeting testified he never said that. “There is no evidence,” said lawyer Antonio De Rensis. “There is one person’s word against another. No intercepted phone calls, no evidence, no passage of money, nothing. “I am not here to tell you Carobbio is not credible. I am here to tell you Carobbio is not the only credible one. When we are faced with an accusation and no other evidence aside from that, we have to look at the testimony very carefully. “When Carobbio was interrogated on January 19, he did not mention Conte, nor did he remember any of his involvement. He only ‘remembered’ on February 29 when testifying before the federal court. “His accusation is counter to Conte’s history and the 20-month-ban Carobbio got in a plea bargain proves he had interest in dragging others into it. “The court says Carobbio is credible and Carlo Gervasoni is credible, but one says black and the other white when describing the same thing. “Carobbio lied about other aspects of the affair, claiming he had no more contact with the betting syndicate although he was shown to have made a series of phone calls using an Egyptian SIM card. So why are you so eager to believe him? “There were enormous contradictions and admitting would mean you forfeiting the trial. This is not justice, but a pure battle. Carobbio’s testimony on July 10 is a banana skin and the silence speaks volumes. He was not asked about the phone calls. It would’ve been the first thing I’d have asked him.” The lawyer also made it clear the plea bargain of three months and a €200,000 fine “was agreed with the understanding it did not represent an admission of guilt in any way.” Many in Italy accept plea bargains in order to avoid a lengthy trial and potentially much longer bans, as one is essentially guilty until proven innocent. Meanwhile, prosecutor Stefano Palazzi explained why he requested a 15-month ban for Conte and took Carobbio’s word over those of the other 23 players at the team meeting. “We considered those testimonies to be irrelevant, even if they contrast what was previously said about Albinoleffe-Siena. “The declarations of those present at the Siena team meeting are not credible, because otherwise they’d be charged with failing to report sporting fraud. Therefore they cannot be used in the trial.” Many of Conte’s supporters have pointed out if the 23 players were lying about the meeting, then why have they not also been charged with failing to report an attempted fix to the authorities? The trial continues and a decision is expected next week.

Juventus attack 'dictatorial' FIGC Aug 2, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has launched a scathing attack on the sporting justice system, as Antonio Conte refuses a plea bargain and will try to plead his innocence. Conte was talked into accepting a plea bargain of four months and a €200,000 fine yesterday in the betting scandal, but the Disciplinary Commission judges surprisingly turned it down. The Coach, who is involved due to his time at Siena and the testimony of just one player – Filippo Carobbio – has rejected a new plea bargain attempt and will go to full trial in order to prove his innocence. In taking this route, Conte faces a potential 15-month ban. Juventus President Agnelli released a scathing statement that attacks the entire sporting justice system. “We have realised the FIGC and its sporting justice system continue to operate outside of all logic for rights and fairness. “For a long time and with great sense of responsibility, Juventus and its employees have maintained a relaxed and consistent attitude towards the institutions and respect for attitudes that straight away suggested a new attack was aimed at damaging the club. “The results of these various charges show enormous contradictions and seem to protect exclusively those who committed sporting fraud. This is paradoxical and cannot be accepted.” Carobbio’s testimony is considered credible in accusing Conte despite the fact another 23 Siena players who were in the team meeting also testified that the Coach never alluded to any fixed games. The Italian sporting justice system is effectively set up so that one is guilty until proven innocent, which is why many take plea bargains to avoid much longer bans and a long trial process. “Yesterday’s decision of the FIGC Disciplinary Commission to reject an offer of a plea bargain that had already been pondered and underwritten by the Prosecutor, is proof of the total inadequacy of the sporting justice system and the Federation within which it operates,” continued Agnelli. “I must again point out the incapability this structure has of interpreting the needs of modern professional football at the highest level. “The path of plea bargaining in order to limit the damage done by a contradictory sporting justice system clashes against a dictatorial system that robs clubs and their employees of any right to defence or honour. “The respectability of individuals is put in danger and it is therefore up to them to make the final decision on which path to take, aware Juventus will support them in every court. “It will be a complex and difficult season, but the concentration on performances on the field remains high with the objective to confirm ourselves as winners in May 2013.” This betting scandal comes in the wake of the Calciopoli investigation and controversy over the intercepted phone calls involving other clubs like Inter that were not taken into consideration during the original 2006 trial.

Juventus attack 'dictatorial' FIGC Aug 2, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has launched a scathing attack on the sporting justice system, as Antonio Conte refuses a plea bargain and will try to plead his innocence. Conte was talked into accepting a plea bargain of four months and a €200,000 fine yesterday in the betting scandal, but the Disciplinary Commission judges surprisingly turned it down. The Coach, who is involved due to his time at Siena and the testimony of just one player – Filippo Carobbio – has rejected a new plea bargain attempt and will go to full trial in order to prove his innocence. In taking this route, Conte faces a potential 15-month ban. Juventus President Agnelli released a scathing statement that attacks the entire sporting justice system. “We have realised the FIGC and its sporting justice system continue to operate outside of all logic for rights and fairness. “For a long time and with great sense of responsibility, Juventus and its employees have maintained a relaxed and consistent attitude towards the institutions and respect for attitudes that straight away suggested a new attack was aimed at damaging the club. “The results of these various charges show enormous contradictions and seem to protect exclusively those who committed sporting fraud. This is paradoxical and cannot be accepted.” Carobbio’s testimony is considered credible in accusing Conte despite the fact another 23 Siena players who were in the team meeting also testified that the Coach never alluded to any fixed games. The Italian sporting justice system is effectively set up so that one is guilty until proven innocent, which is why many take plea bargains to avoid much longer bans and a long trial process. “Yesterday’s decision of the FIGC Disciplinary Commission to reject an offer of a plea bargain that had already been pondered and underwritten by the Prosecutor, is proof of the total inadequacy of the sporting justice system and the Federation within which it operates,” continued Agnelli. “I must again point out the incapability this structure has of interpreting the needs of modern professional football at the highest level. “The path of plea bargaining in order to limit the damage done by a contradictory sporting justice system clashes against a dictatorial system that robs clubs and their employees of any right to defence or honour. “The respectability of individuals is put in danger and it is therefore up to them to make the final decision on which path to take, aware Juventus will support them in every court. “It will be a complex and difficult season, but the concentration on performances on the field remains high with the objective to confirm ourselves as winners in May 2013.” This betting scandal comes in the wake of the Calciopoli investigation and controversy over the intercepted phone calls involving other clubs like Inter that were not taken into consideration during the original 2006 trial.

Conte goes to full betting trial Aug 2, 2012 Juventus Coach Antonio Conte has refused to negotiate another plea bargain, so goes to a full betting trial and faces a potential 15-month ban. The betting trial took a sensational twist yesterday when the plea bargain of a three-month ban and €200,000 fine was agreed with the prosecutor, but rejected as ‘insufficient’ by the Disciplinary Commission judges. Conte has been charged with failing to alert two attempted fixes to authorities from his time at Siena in the Serie B 2010-11 campaign. He has always denied knowing anything about the attempted interference from betting syndicates and was talked into taking a plea bargain by his lawyers. This is because the justice system is one of ‘guilty until proven innocent’ when there is an accusation from someone who has confessed to another charge. It was reported that Conte was negotiating another plea bargain with the prosecutor of a five-month ban, but the tactician stood his ground and opted to go to a full trial by pleading not guilty. This means prosecutor Stefano Palazzi has requested a ban of one year and three months for Conte. Ex-Siena player Filippo Carobbio claimed Conte had mentioned the ‘agreed’ results against Novara and Albinoleffe during a team meeting, but the other players who were present have testified the Coach never said that. Siena also had their initial plea bargain rejected, but have now accepted a new six-point penalty for ‘indirect responsibility’ – as Carobbio was their player when he was in contact with the betting syndicates. It should be noted the ban for a Coach only means he cannot sit on the bench, go into the locker room or give interviews in the Press room on match day, but he can continue day-to-day training.

Krasic pareggia!

Beh, ormai ci sono solo ragazzini e riserve in campo.

Juventus announce media blackout Aug 1, 2012 Juventus have announced a media blackout in protest at the decision to reject Antonio Conte’s plea bargain in the betting trial. The Coach, who is charged with failing to report an attempted fix while he was at Siena in 2010-11, had agreed a plea bargain of a three-month ban with €200,000 fine with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi. However, in a shock move the Disciplinary Commission judging panel rejected the plea bargain. It now remains to be seen if he’ll renegotiate a new plea or go to a full trial. “Juventus have today enforced a media blackout,” read a statement on the club website. “The situation will be assessed tomorrow, based on today’s facts, which are considered as, regardless of the event’s outcome, an extremely serious act concerning the honour of all subjects involved: professionals, managers, employees and the club. “The club will make further comment tomorrow.”

Vediamo come gioca.

Siena accept new plea bargain Aug 1, 2012 Siena have agreed a new plea bargain in the betting scandal for a six-point penalty and €100,000 fine, but then-Coach Antonio Conte is yet to decide his next step. The sporting trial began this morning and the judges shocked everyone when rejecting the proposed plea bargains of a five-point ban for Siena and Conte’s three-month ban with €200,000 fine. The magistrates complained that the plea bargains – which had been negotiated with the prosecutor Stefano Palazzi – were “not suited” to the charges of failing to alert authorities to an attempted fix. Siena have now come back into the court room and their new offer of a plea bargain – six-point penalty and €100,000 fine – has been accepted. It means Siena will begin the new season from -6 in the Serie A table, just as Torino and Serie B side Varese begin from -1. The Disciplinary Commission’s judges also accepted new plea bargains for Poloni (six months), Savorani (five months and 10 days), D’Urbano (five months and 10 days), Passoni (six months and 15 days) and Albinoleffe (-1 point and €30,000 fine). However, Conte – who is now Coach of Juventus – has not yet come forward with a new plea bargain. It’s not clear if he will opt for a different bargain, said to be a four-month ban with €100,000 fine, or go to full trial. Conte has always stated his innocence and wanted to defend himself, but was advised by lawyers to accept a plea bargain instead. The entire case against Conte revolves around the testimony of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, who claims the Coach told the whole team in a locker room meeting that a result was already fixed. The other players present at the meeting have testified to deny Conte ever said that. Meanwhile, prosecutor Palazzi has set out his requests for those who did not seek plea bargains in the betting trial. Bertani (three years and six months), Bombardini (three years and six months), Camilli (five years), Mario Cassano (nine months), Catinali (three years and six months), Coppola (three years and six months), Drascek (three years and six months), Gheller (three years and six months), Pellicori (three years and six months), Pesoli (three years), Terzi (three years and six months), Vitiello (four years), Ancona (€10,000 fine), Grosseto (relegation to Lega Pro and three-point penalty), Novara (four-point penalty in Serie B).

Conte to agree new plea bargain? Aug 1, 2012 It’s reported Antonio Conte could secure a different plea bargain for four months and €100,000, an increase of one month from the rejected proposal. This afternoon there was a shock in the betting scandal when the FIGC judges rejected a proposed plea bargain of three months and €200,000 that had been agreed with the prosecutor. It could either mean the matter will go to a full trial or a new plea bargain will be negotiated. According to rumours from Tuttosport, the solution will be an increase on the plea bargain to four months and a €100,000 fine. It would keep Conte off the bench, out of the locker room and the interview hall on match days until December 1, although he would still be in charge of day-to-day training. Conte was charged with two counts of failing to report an attempted fix to the authorities in 2010-11 while he was at Siena. The matter is further complicated by the Juventus lawyers attempting to recuse the judges from a full trial because they have “already judged” on the charges by rejecting the plea bargain. Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi insists this is not the case and “there is no incompatibility” between judging on a plea bargain and a full trial.

Conte plea bargain rejected! Aug 1, 2012 In a shock move, the FIGC judges in the betting trial have rejected plea bargains from Antonio Conte and Siena, but Torino and Varese accept one-point penalties. The trial into the match-fixing scandal began this morning with FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi putting forward his requested sentences to the judges. Several were plea bargains, which the panel was widely expected to accept and ratify this afternoon. However, the judges sensationally rejected the plea bargains as “not suited” to the charges and turned down almost all of them. As already reported, Juventus Coach Conte offered a plea bargain of three months and a €200,000 fine set to go to charity. Conte was charged with failing to report an attempted fix to authorities while he was Coach of Siena in 2010-11. In the terms of the rejected plea bargain, he would’ve been unable to sit on the bench, enter the locker room or give interviews on match day until November 1, though Conte could continue day-to-day training. The same accusations were levelled at Siena, who offered a plea bargain of a five-point penalty and a €40,000 fine. Torino and Serie B side Varese proposed a one-point penalty with €30,000 fine and these were accepted by the judges. Juventus lawyers have reacted angrily and are trying to have the whole trial scrapped. They have requested that the judges be recused from the case, because by rejecting the plea bargain “you have already made your decisions and you therefore cannot judge in a trial what you have already judged. The Corte Costituzionale in 1992 ruled a judge cannot rule after he rejected an agreed plea bargain.” The other requests rejected by the judges were: Angelo Alessio (Juventus assistant manager), two-month ban and €60,000 fine. Giorgio D’Urbano (Siena fitness coach), four-month ban. Dario Passoni (Bolzano) and Mirko Poloni (Albinoleffe assistant), four-month ban. Marco Savorani (Siena goalkeeping coach), four-month ban. The plea bargains accepted were: Filippo Carobbio, four-month ban on top of previous 20-month suspension after he confessed. Carlo Gervasoni, three-month and 20 day ban on top of previous 20-month suspension after confessing. Marcelo Larrondo, three-month and 20 day ban plus €30,000 fine. Daniele Faggiano (ex-Siena director of sport), four-month ban. Da Costa (Sampdoria), three month ban and €30,000 fine. Luigi Sala (ex-Milan and Bari defender), two-year ban. Cristian Stellini, two year ban and €50,000 fine.

Betting trial begins with Conte plea Aug 1, 2012 The trial into the betting scandal begins today with Antonio Conte preparing a plea bargain and Leonardo Bonucci eager to push for lesser charges. Juventus Coach Conte was accused of failing to report an attempted fix to the authorities while he was at the helm of Siena in the 2010-11 season. Although he has always denied the charge, Conte is reportedly ready to accept a plea bargain today that will ban him for three months plus a €200,000 fine rather than risking a year on the sidelines. It would mean tonight’s friendly against Benfica would be his last on the Bianconeri bench until November 1. However, the rules of the ban apply only to the bench, locker room and interview area on match day. Conte would still be able to train the team on a day-to-day basis and give talks before the squad actually get to the stadium in both Serie A and European competition. Juve defender Bonucci has been charged with sporting fraud, a much more serious accusation, as he risks up to a three-year suspension. It is reported the Italian international, who is under fire due to his time at Bari in 2010-11, is eager to negotiate a plea bargain for the lesser charge of failing to alert authorities. Bonucci’s situation revolves around the testimony of former Bari teammate Andrea Masiello, who alleges he asked Bonucci to ‘throw’ the Udinese-Bari game and was immediately turned down.

Goalline officials for Super Cup Aug 1, 2012 The Italian Super Cup match between Juventus and Napoli will have goalline officials and they could be extended to Serie A this season. The Scudetto winners and Coppa Italia holders face off in Beijing on August 11. “That match will have the use of six officials, including two goalline officials,” confirmed AIA (Referees’ Association) President Marcello Nicchi. “We cannot yet say at which point we will begin that system in Serie A. We don’t want to run into surprises or find ourselves out of sync with the European guidelines.” The use of goalline officials has been criticised after errors still occurred during Euro 2012.

Buffon eyes new Juve contract Aug 1, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon is reportedly ready to sign a new contract tying him to Juventus until June 2016. The goalkeeper has often said he intends to end his career in Turin and his current deal expires next summer. According to the latest reports in the Italian newspapers, Buffon is set to meet with President Andrea Agnelli over the next few days. There will be a reduction in wages, as many of the old guard are asked to consider this possibility during a financial crisis. The contract is expected to be renewed until June 2015 or even 2016.

Disciplinary Committee rejects Conte plea bargain The coach's agreement with the prosecution has been rejected, which means that the Bianconeri boss could be banned for a year for his role in the scandal. Aug 1, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte will face trial for his role in the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal after the Disciplinary Committee rejected his plea deal. The 42-year-old had reached an agreement with federal prosecutor Stefano Palazzi to avoid the prosecution process, with a three-month ban and a €200,000 fine the punishment that had been agreed for the Italian coach. However, the Disciplinary Committee presided by Sergio Artico has turned down Conte's deal, which means that the Bianconeri boss will now go on trial and could face a year-long ban. Conte is charged with failing to report attempts to influence the outcome of two Serie B matches against Novara and AlbinoLeffe in the 2010-11 season when he was in charge of Siena.

Buffon set to sign Juventus extension until 2016 The veteran goalkeeper is still a key figure at the Turin powerhouse, and is supposedly close to inking a new deal with the titleholders. Aug 1, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon is on the verge of signing a new contract with Juventus that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2016, Tuttosport reports. The 34-year-old's current deal with the Serie A champions is due to expire at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, but the Bianconeri are eager to hold on to Buffon beyond the expiry date of his existing contract. Buffon is set to meet Juve president Andrea Agnelli later this week to discuss a three-year extension, and could even accept a pay cut in order to agree terms. The Italy international is currently one of the top earners in Serie A with an annual salary of €6 million. The goalkeeper has stressed more than once that he wants to stay at Juve until the end of his active career, and the Old Lady are hopeful of reaching an agreement shortly. Buffon joined Juve from Parma in 2001 for €54m, and has since made over 300 league appearances for the Turin giants.

Signings, departures & possible starting XIs for the 2012-13 Serie A season Goal.com takes a look at the ins and outs at every Italian top-flight club so far this summer. Aug 1, 2012 N.B - Only official transfers have been included P: Permanent transfer - C: Co-ownership - L: Loan - EL: End of Loan - R: Released *Completed in 11/12 Atalanta Signings Denis (Att, Udinese, P)* Masiello (Def, Bari, P)* Cazzola (Mid, Juve Stabia, P)* Cigarini (Mid, Napoli, L)* Radovanovic (Mid, Novara, EL) Kone (Mid, Pescara, EL) Ardemagni (Att, Modena, EL) Pettinari (Mid, Varese, EL) Brivio (Def, Lecce, P) Tonon (Mid, Pavia, P) Parra (Att, San Felipe, L) Matheu (Def, San Felipe, P) Departures Doni (Mid, R) Mutarelli (Mid, R) Tiribocchi (Att, R) Basha (Mid, Torino, C) Possible starting Xl Consigli Bellini - Lucchini - Manfredini - Peluso Schelotto - Cigarini - Carmona - Bonaventura Moralez Denis __________________________________________________________________________ Bologna Signings Rickler (Def, Chievo, P)* Acquafresca (Att, Genoa, P)* Taider (Mid, Juventus, P)* Diamanti (Mid, Brescia, P)* Paponi (Att, Parma, P)* Marchi (Def, Piacenza, P)* Rodriguez (Att, Piacenza, EL) Gavilan (Att, Piacenza, EL) Riverola (Mid, Barcelona, P) Pasquato (Att, Udinese, L) Curci (GK, Roma, L) De Carvalho (Def, Tombense, P) Motta (Def, Juventus, L) Abero (Def, Nacional, P) Guarente (Mid, Sevilla, L) Natali (Def, Fiorentina, R) Umunegbu (Att, AC Milan, R) Departures Di Vaio (Att, Montreal, R) Raggi (Def, Monaco, R) Loria (Def, R) Bernacci (Att, R) Gillet (GK, Torino, P) Mudingayi (Mid, Inter, L) Possible starting Xl Agliardi Antonsson - Portanova - Cherubin Motta - Guarente - Perez - Morleo Ramirez - Diamanti Acquafresca __________________________________________________________________________ Cagliari Signings Perico (Def, Albinoleffe, P)* Dessena (Mid, Sampdoria, P)* Ekdal (Mid, Juventus, P)* Pinilla (Att, Palermo, P)* Thiago Ribeiro (Att, Cruzeiro, P)* Cocco (Att, Albinoleffe, EL) Ragatzu (Att, Gubbio, EL) Sau (Att, Juve Stabia, EL) Vigorito (GK, Triestina, EL) Rossettini (Def, Siena, P) Avelar (Mif, Karpaty Lviv, L) Camilleri (Def, Reggina, L) Departures Agostini (Def, R) Lazzari (Cen, Fiorentina, P) Canini (Def, Genoa, P) Possible starting Xl Agazzi Pisano - Rossettini - Astori - Perico Ekdal - Conti - Nainggolan Cossu Pinilla - Sau __________________________________________________________________________ Catania Signings Lanzafame (Att, Palermo, P)* Andujar (GK, Estudiantes, EL) Alvarez (Def, Saragozza, EL) Augustyn (Def, Vicenza, EL) Martinho (Mid, Cesena, EL) Moretti (Mid, Grosseto, EL) Sciacca (Mid, Grosseto, EL) Keko (Att, Grosseto, EL) Maxi Lopez (Att, Milan, EL) Morimoto (Att, Novara, P) Antenucci (Att, Torino, P) Salifu (Mid, Fiorentina, L) Frison (GK, Vicenza, C) Barisic (Att, Koper, L) Castro (Mid, Racing Club, P) Provenzano (Att, Cosenza, Undisclosed) Departures Suazo (Att, R) Campagnolo (GK, R) Kosicky (GK, Novara, P) Lopez (Att, Sampdoria, L) Possible starting Xl Frison Bellusci - Legrottaglie - Spolli - Marchese Izco - Lodi - Almiron - Gomez Barrientos - Bergessio __________________________________________________________________________ Chievo Signings Hetemaj (Mid, Brescia, P)* Fatic (Mid, Empoli, EL) Bentivoglio (Mid, Sampdoria, EL) De Paula (Att, Bari, EL) Granoche (Att, Varese, EL) Iunco (Att, Spezia, P) Farias (Att, Nocerina, P) Papp (Def, Vaslui, P) Farkas (Def, Vaslui, P) Guana (Mid, Cesena, P) Cofie (Mid, Genoa, C) Paloschi (Att, AC Milan, L) Bonato (GK, Sambonifacese, R) Santini (Def, Carpi, P) Stoian (Def, Roma, C) Di Michele (Att, Lecce, P) Pavanello (GK, Giacomense, P) Scolaro (GK, Sambonifacese, P) Virdis (Att, Progetto Calcio, R) Memushaj (Att, Carpi, P) Confente (GK, Sambonifacese, L) Departures Acerbi (Def, Genoa, P) Rickler (Def, Bologna, P) Hanine (Mid, Ascoli, C) Mandelli (Def, R) Squizzi (Def, R) Iori (Mid, Cesena, L) Bradley (Mid, Roma, P) Possible starting Xl Sorrentino Frey - Andreolli- Cesar - Drame Guana - Rigoni - Hetemaj Cruzado Pellissier - Thereau __________________________________________________________________________ Fiorentina Signings Lazzari (Mid, Cagliari, P)* Cassani (Def, Palermo, P)* Seferovic (Att, Neuchatel, EL) Babacar (Att, Santander, EL) Hegazy (Def, Ismaily, P) Roncaglia (Def, Fenix, P) El Hamdaoui (Att, Ajax, P) Lupatelli (GK, Genoa, R) Departures Boruc (GK, R) Montolivo (Mid, Milan, R) Amauri (Att, Parma, R) Marchionni (Mid, R) Natali (Def, R) Kroldrup (Def, R) Salifu (Mid, Catania, L) Kharja (Mid, Al Arabi, P) Gamberini (Def, Napoli, P) Behrami (Mid, Napoli, P) De Silvestri (Def, Sampdoria, L) Possible starting Xl Neto Cassani - Roncaglia - Nastasic - Pasqual Cerci - Lazzari- Olivera - Vargas Jovetic - El Hamdaoui __________________________________________________________________________ Genoa Signings Kucka (Mid, Inter, P)* Perin (GK Padova, EL) Dainelli (Def, Chievo, EL) Polenta (Def, Bari, EL) Tomovic (Def, Lecce, EL) Seymour (Mid, Catania, EL) Tachtsidis (Mid, Verona, EL) Boakye (Att, Sassuolo, EL) Ribas (Att, Sporting, EL) Rudolf (Att, Panathinaikos, EL) Hallenius (Att, Padova, EL) Rennella (Att, Cesena, EL) Von Bergen (Def, Cesena, R) Tozser (Mid, Genk, R) Immobile (Att, Juventus, C) Merkel (Mid, Milan, P) Lazarevic (Mid, Padova, P) Donaggio (Mid, Savona, P) Fenoglio (Def, Savona, P) Figone (Mid, Savona, P) Canini (Def, Cagliari, P) Bertolacci (Mid, Roma, C) Piscitella (Mid, Roma, C) Verre (Mid, Roma, C) Departures Kaladze (Def, R) Palacio (Att, Inter, P) Acerbi (Def, Milan, C) El Shaarawy (Att, Milan, P) Constant (Mid, Milan, L) Caracciolo (Att, Brescia, P) Bolzoni (Mid, Siena, P) Destro (Att, Siena, C; Roma, L) Acquafresca (Att, Bologna, P) Troest (Def, Varese, P) Eduardo (GK, Istanbul BB, P) Meggiorini (Att, Torino, P) Esposito (Def, Lecce, P) Veloso (Mid, Dinamo Kiev, P) Lupatelli (GK, Fiorentina, R) Tachtsidis (MF, Roma, C) Destro (Att, Roma, L) Lamanna (GK, Siena, C) Verre (Mid, Siena, L) Possible starting Xl Frey Mesto - Granqvist - Von Bergen - Moretti Rossi - Biondini - Kucka - Jankovic Immobile - Gilardino __________________________________________________________________________ Inter Signings Guarin (Mid, Porto, P)* Jonathan (Def, Parma, EL) Mariga (Mid, Parma, EL) Coutinho (Att, Espanyol, EL) Palacio (Att, Genoa, P) Bardi (GK, Livorno, P) Handanovic (GK, Udinese, P) Silvestre (Def, Palermo, L) Cossa (Mid, Novara, P) Mudingayi (Mid, Bologna, L) Zaro (Def, Aurora Pro Patria, P) Granziera (Def, Liventinagoghense, P) Departures Cordoba (Def, R) Orlandoni (GK, R) Lucio (Def, Juventus, R) Muntari (Mid, Milan, R) Forlan (Att, Internacional, R) Pandev (Att, Napoli, P) Kucka (Mid, Genoa, P) Lucio (Def, Juventus, P) Possible starting Xl Handanovic Maicon - Silvestre - Samuel - Nagatomo Zanetti - Mudingayi - Guarin Sneijder Palacio - Milito __________________________________________________________________________ Juventus Signings Caceres (Def, Siviglia, P)* Giaccherini (Mid, Cesena, P)* Motta (Def, Catania, EL) Pazienza (Mid, Udinese, EL) Felipe Melo (Mid, Galatasaray, EL) Giandonato (Mid, Lecce, EL) Martinez (Att, Cesena, EL) Iaquinta (Att, Cesena, EL) Giovinco (Att, Parma, P) Asamoah (Mid, Udinese, C) Isla (Mid, Udinese, C) Leali (GK, Brescia, P) Lucio (Def, Inter, P) Boakye (Att, Genoa, C) Laursen (Mid, Aalborg, P) Slivka (Mid, Futbolo Klubas Ekranas, L) Mattelli (Def, Foligno Calcio, L) Departures Del Piero (Att, R) Grosso (Def, R) Manninger (GK, R) Immobile (Att, Genoa, C) Taider (Mid, Bologna, P) Ekdal (Mid, Cagliari, P) Pasquato (Att, Udinese, C) Motta (Def, Bologna, L) Boakye (Att, Genoa, C) Possible starting Xl Buffon Lichtsteiner - Barzagli - Chiellini - De Ceglie Vidal - Pirlo - Asamoah Isla - Matri - Giovinco __________________________________________________________________________ Lazio Signings Candreva (Mid, Udinese, C)* Carrizo (GK, Catania, EL) Stendardo (Def, Atalanta, EL) Cavanda (Def, Bari, EL) Foggia (Mid, Sampdoria, EL) Sculli (Att, Genoa, EL) Zarate (Att, Inter, EL) Floccari (Att, Parma, EL) Ederson (Mid, Lione, P) Falasca (Mid, Inter, R) Departures Del Nero (Mid, R) Makinwa (Att, R) Possible starting Xl Marchetti Konko - Biava - Dias - Radu Candreva - Ledesma - Lulic Ederson - Hernanes Klose __________________________________________________________________________ Milan Signings El Shaarawy (Att, Genoa, P)* Muntari (Mid, Inter, R)* Albertazzi (Def, Varese, EL) Taiwo (Def, QPR, EL) Didac (Def, Espanyol, EL) Paloschi (Att, Chievo, EL) Traore (Mid, Nancy, R) Montolivo (Mid, Fiorentina, R) Gabriel (GK, Cruzeiro, P) Acerbi (Def, Genoa, C) Constant (Mid, Genoa, L) Maresi (Att, Olginatese, P) Melello (Att, Novara, P) Pacifico (Def, Novara, C) Bortoli (Mid, Novara, L) Raviotta (Mid, Monza Brianza, L) Departures Roma (GK, R) Nesta (Def, Montreal Impact, R) Zambrotta (Def, R) Oddo (Def, R) Van Bommel (Mid, PSV, R) Gattuso (Mid, Sion, R) Seedorf (Mid, Botafogo, R) Inzaghi (Att, R) Merkel (Mid, Genoa, P) Umunegbu (Att, Bologna, R) Paloschi (Att, Chievo, L) Thiago Silva (Def, Paris Saint-Germain, P) Ibrahimovic (Att, Paris Saint-Germain, P) Taiwo (Def, Dynamo Kiev, L) Possible starting Xl Abbiati Abate - Mexes - Acerbi - Antonini Montolivo - Ambrosini - Nocerino Boateng Cassano - Pato __________________________________________________________________________ Napoli Signings Dezi (Mid, Giulianova, P)* Pandev (Att, Inter, P)* Vitale (Def, Bologna, EL) Rinaudo (Def, Novara, EL) Maiello (Mid, Crotone, EL) Santana (Mid, Cesena, EL) Insigne (Att, Pescara, EL) Gamberini (Def, Fiorentina, P) Behrami (Mid, Fiorentina, P) Departures Santacroce (Def, Parma, C) Lavezzi (Att, Paris Saint-Germain, P) Cigarini (Mid, Atalanta, L) Fideleff (Def, Parma, L) Santana (Att, Torino, L) Possible starting Xl De Sanctis Campagnaro - Cannavaro - Britos Maggio - Inler - Behrami - Zuniga Hamsik - Pandev Cavani __________________________________________________________________________ Palermo Signings Benussi (GK, Torino, EL) Garcia (Def, Novara, EL) Di Matteo (Def, Lecce, EL) Cetto (Def, Palermo, EL) Andjelkovic (Def, Ascoli, EL) Simon (Mid, Bari, EL) Viola (Mid, Reggina, C) Kurtic (Mid, Varese, P) Morganella (Def, Novara, P) Ujkani (GK, Novara, P) Brienza (Att, Siena, P) Goldaniga (Def, Pergolettese, P) Dybala (Att, Atletico Central de Cordoba, P) Arevalo (Mid, Tijuana, P) Departures Gonzalez (Att, Novara, P) Cassani (Def, Fiorentina, P) Lanzafame (Att, Catania, P) Pinilla (Att, Cagliari, P) Misuraca (Att, Vicenza, P) Darmian (Def, Torino, C) Struna (Def, Varese, L) Silvestre (Def, Inter, L) Joao Pedro (Mid, Santos, P) Succi (Att, Cesena, P) Acquah (Mid, Parma, L) Possible starting Xl Viviano Pisano - Migliaccio - Mantovani - Balzaretti Brienza - Barreto - Donati - Ilicic Miccoli- Hernandez __________________________________________________________________________ Parma Signings Santacroce (Def, Napoli, C)* Castellini (Def, Sampdoria, EL) Lofqvist (Mid, Gubbio, EL) Jadid (Mid, Grosseto, EL) Pelle (Att, Sampdoria, EL) Paonessa (Mid, Bologna, P) Ninis (Att, Panathinaikos, R) Rossi (Def, Siena, C) Belfodil (Att, Lyon, P) Pabon (Att, Nac. Medellin, P) Amauri (Att, Fiorentina, R) Parolo (Mid, Cesena, L) Biabiany (Mid, Sampdoria, C) Mario Rui (Def, Gubbio, P) Guadiano (Def, Fondi, P) Brandao (Def, Siena, C) Pigliacelli (GK, Roma, P) Dallaglio (Att, Fidenza, P) Acquah (Mid, Palermo, L) Musacci (Mid, Empoli, C) Fideleff (Def, Napoli, L) Mungo (Mid, Piacenza, P) Musi (Mid, Piacanza, P) Parolo (Mid, Cesena, L) Rossetto (GK, Montebelluna, P) Mazzocco (Mid, Montebelluna, P) Traore (Def, Foggia, P) Margaglio (Mid, Valenza, P) Tozzi (Att, Monterotondo,P) Departures Giovinco (Att, Juventus, P) Borini (Att, Roma, P) Coppola (Mid, Siena, C) Schiavi (Def, Spezia, L) Paponi (Att, Bologna, P) Feltscher (Def, Padova, L) Rispoli (Def, Padova, L) Ze Eduardo (Mid, Padova, L) Nwankwo (Mid, Padova, L) Danilo Pereira (Mid, Roda, L) Brandao (Def, Cesena, L) Dellafiore (Def, Siena, C) Possible starting Xl Mirante Zaccardo - Paletta - Lucarelli Biabiany - Parolo - Valdes - Galloppa - Gobbi Ninis - Amauri __________________________________________________________________________ Pescara Signings Caprari (Mid, Roma, C)* Abbruscato (Att, Vicenza, P) Colucci (Mid, Cesena, P) Di Pentima (Def, Vicenza, L) Cosic (Def, CSKA Moscow, L) Quintero (Mid, Atletico Nacional, L) Chiaretti (Att, Taranto, R) Celik (Mid, Gais, P) Departures Ariatti (Mid, R) Sansovini (Att, Spezia, P) Verratti (Mid, Paris Saint-Germain, P) Possible starting Xl Anania Zanon - Romagnoli - Capuano - Bocchetti Nielsen - Quintero - Cascione Caprari - Abbruscato - Soddimo __________________________________________________________________________ Roma Signings Borini (Att, Parma, P)* Marquinho (Mid, Fluminense, P)* Julio Sergio (GK, Lecce, EL) Crescenzi (Def, Bari, EL) Bertolacci (Mid, Lecce, EL) Guberti (Mid, Torino, EL) Brighi (Mid, Atalanta, EL) Pizarro (Mid, Manchester City, EL) Borriello (Att, Juventus, EL) Okaka (Att, Parma, EL) Stoian (Att, Bari, P) Florenzi (Def, Crotone, P) Dodo (Mid, Corinthians, R) Lucca (Mid, Internacional, P) Bradley (Mid, Chievo, P) Castan (Def, Corinthians, P) Tachtsidis (Mid, Genoa, C) Destro (Att, Genoa, L) Departures Cassetti (Def, R) Cicinho (Def, Recife, R) Barusso (Mid, R) Antunes (Def, R) Caprari (Mid, Pescara, C) Viviani (Mid, Padova, L) Curci (GK, Bologna, L) Stoian (Def, Chievo, C) Bertolacci (MId, Genoa, C) Piscitella (Mid, Genoa, C) Verre (Mid, Genoa, C) Pigliacelli (GK, Parma, P) Borini (Att, Liverpool, P) Juan (Def, Internacional, R) Possible starting Xl Stekelenburg Rosi - Castan - Burdisso - Jose Angel Bradley - De Rossi - Pjanic Lamela - Destro - Totti __________________________________________________________________________ Sampdoria Signings Costa (Def, Reggina, P)* Renan (Mid, Cluj, P)* Eder (Att, Empoli, P)* Cacciatore (Def, Varese, EL) Palombo (Mid, Inter, EL) Poli (Mid, Inter, EL) Sammarco (Mid, Chievo, EL) Maccarone (Att, Empoli, EL) Piovaccari (Att, Brescia, EL) Tissone (Mid, Udinese, P) Lopez (Att, Catania, L) De Silvestri (Def, Fiorentina, L) Departures Dessena (Mid, Cagliari, P) Regini (Def, Empoli, L) Biabiany (Mid, Parma, C) Possible starting Xl Romero Cacciatore - Gastaldello - Rossini - Costa Munari - Obiang - Poli Eder - Pozzi - Juan Antonio __________________________________________________________________________ Siena Signings Destro (Att, Genoa, J)* Bolzoni (Mid, Genoa, P)* Contini (Def, Saragozza, P)* D'Agostino (Mid, Udinese, P) Paolucci (Att, Vicenza, EL) Dellafiore (Def, Parma, C) Rubin (Def, Torino, C) Paci (Def, Novara, P) Farelli (GK, Siena, R) Lamanna (GK, Genoa, C) Verre (Mid, Genoa, L) Departures Codrea (Def, R) Carobbio (Mid, R) Brienza (Att, Palermo, P) Troianiello (Mid, Sassuolo, P) Sansone (Att, Sassuolo, P) Rossettini (Def, Cagliari, P) Garofalo (Mid, Spezia, L) Grossi (Mid, Verona, L) Brandao (Def, Parma, C) Gazzi (Mid, Torino, P) Possible starting Xl Pegolo Terzi - Dellafiore - Contini Mannini - Vergassola - Bolzoni - D'Agostino - Del Grosso Calaio - Bogdani __________________________________________________________________________ Torino Signings Darmian (Def, Palermo, C)* Basha (Mid, Atalanta, C)* Meggiorini (Att, Genoa, P)* Gorobsov (Mid, Timisoara, EL) Rubin (Def, Bologna, EL) Gillet (GK, Bologna, P) Migliorini (Def, Chieti, P) Sansone (Att, Sassuolo, C) Gazzi (Mid, Siena, P) Santana (Att, Napoli, L) Ferronetti (Def, Udinese, R) Departures Morello (GK, R) Pratali (Def, R) Zavagno (Def, R) Gasbarroni (Att, R) Antenucci (Att, Catania, P) Ebagua (Att, Varese, P) Rubin (Def, Siena, C) Possible starting Xl Gillet Darmian - Glik - Ogbonna - Parisi Sgrigna - Basha - Vives - Stefanovic Bianchi - Meggiorini __________________________________________________________________________ Udinese Signings Brkic (GK, Siena, EL) Angella (Def, Reggina, EL) Gabriel Silva (Def, Novara, P) Mazzarani (Mid, Novara, EL) Obodo (Mid, Lecce, EL) Cuadrado (Mid, Lecce, EL) Muriel (Att, Lecce, EL) Beleck (Att, AEK, EL) Forestieri (Att, Bari, EL) Chara (Def, Empoli, P) Heurtaux (Def, Caen, P) Willians (Mid, Flamengo, P) Allan (Mid, Vasco, P) Pawlowski (GK, Lechia, P) Faraoni (Def, Inter, C) Villalba (Att, Huesca, P) Departures Ferronetti (Def, R) Denis (Att, Atalanta, P) D'Agostino (Mid, Siena, P) Tissone (Mid, Sampdoria, P) Asamoah (Mid, Juventus, C) Isla (Mid, Juventus, C) Doubai (Mid, Sochaux, P) Sissoko (Mid, Brest, L) Koprivec (GK, Perugia, C) Torje (Att, Granada, L) Floro Flores (Att, Granada, L) Pasquato (Att, Bologna, L) Candreva (Mid, Lazio, C) Handanovic (GK, Inter, P) Ferronetti (Def, Torino, R) Possible starting Xl Brkic Benatia - Danilo - Domizzi Basta- Pereyra - Pinzi - Willians - Armero Di Natale - Muriel

Conte to accept three-month ban? Jul 31, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte will reportedly accept a three-month ban rather than try to prove his innocence as part of the match-fixing probe. Conte has been charged with failing to report having knowledge of attempts to allegedly fix two Siena games while he was in charge of the Tuscan outfit. While the tactician has been cleared of sporting fraud, he will have to face charges that he was aware of the circumstances around the games against Novara and Albinoleffe. The former midfielder has always maintained his innocence following the accusations made against him by his former player at Siena, Stefano Carobbio. However, there is a risk that if he tries to clear his name and fails then he could be banned for seven months. As a result, Conte may opt for a plea bargain that will result in a shorter sentence – a three-month ban and a €200,000 fine. If that is indeed what occurs, Conte could miss 10 Serie A games and three in the Champions League. He would return to the bench for the Week 11 encounter against Inter. Conte could be replaced on the bench during his absence by youth team boss Marco Baroni or assistant Massimo Carrera.

Conte reportedly reaches deal on match-fixing ban Juve boss set for three month ban, say sources. Jul 30, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte is said to have reached a deal with Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) lawyers to accept a three-month ban and a heavy fine to order close match-fixing charges against him, ANSA sources said on Monday. Conte, who led Turin side Juve to the Italian championship last season, is suspected of having known about agreements to fix two matches when he was in charge of Siena in the 2010-11 campaign and failing to inform the authorities. The coach was charged by FIGC prosecutors last week along with a number of players and five Serie A clubs for different levels of involvement in betting-related match-fixing. Juve, who extended Conte's contract by three years in May, recently said they had no plan B for the eventuality the coach would be banned as they are confident he is innocent. Over 40 people have been arrested since the Cremona-based 'Last Bet' probe went public last year. They include Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri and former Italy internationals Beppe Signori and Cristiano Doni. Italy's sporting justice system has already given out punishments related to the match-fixing at previous rounds of hearings. Signori and Doni are among a raft of people to have been banned from soccer and Bergamo-based Atalanta had six points deducted at the start of last season and will start the 2012-13 campaign at -2.