Socrates

Gianluigi Buffon upset with reporting in Italian betting scandal The experienced goalkeeper has expressed his dismay with the media's coverage of the Italian betting scandal. Jun 9, 2011 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has hit out at the media for the way they are covering the betting scandal that has rocked the Italian football world. Several current and former players were recently arrested for their alleged involvement in the betting scandal and Buffon is far from pleased with the 'naming and shaming' in the Italian press. "In recent years something similar happened to me, and I was immediately considered guilty for something that I had absolutely no involvement in," said Buffon to ANSA, referring to the uproar in the wake of his decision to wear the controversial number 88. "There is the risk of tarnishing people

... e buon lavoro.

Lo dice lui stesso: "Ci sono giocatori che nascono con delle doti tecniche eccelse. Io sono uno che con la volont

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Comparing the 1980 Italy betting scandal with 2011's new Calcio crisis The current Scomessopoli scandal comes three decades after the biggest betting ring in Italian football, when the allegations first came to light. Jun 7, 2011 There were no handcuffs or police vans this time, but the Scommessopoli scandal that has exploded in the past week has brought back memories of what transpired in 1980 when Italian football was struck by a scandal long before Calciopoli in 2006. But, different to now, betting in football was not legal 31 years ago, and perhaps for this reason the incidents then generated more noise, and led to more severe consequences. Going back to the day in 1980 when the scandal first come to light, it would not be until two weeks after that the tip of the iceberg emerged. The accusations begin On March 1, 1980, a fruit seller named Massimo Cruciani presented a statement to the court of Rome in which he claimed that he had been defrauded, alongside restaurant owner Alvaro Trinca, by a number of Lazio players. Cruciani named Giuseppe Wilson, Bruno Giordano, Massimo Cacciatori and Lionello Manfredonia. Those he accused were alleged to have told him to place bets on games which were guaranteed a certain outcome, only for the results to have gone a different way having been organised prior to betting. The businessman claimed he gave cheques to the players for them to lose a game against AC Milan, where Rossoneri goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi was aware of the agreement to throw the game. Milan then handed Cruciani around 20 million lira after the victory. Of the many other games that followed, there were agreements based on the results that would take place on the pitch. Each time, though, just one player involved in the scam would not be enough to determine the outcome of the match in favour of the gamblers. Some of those agreements were not met, and so Cruciani was ruined - heavily in debt and forced to make the allegations to the authorities. Maurizio Montesi, a Lazio player, would confirm what had been divulged to police was accurate, only to change his statement at a later date. Arrests But the Pandora's box was opened, and by March 15 all those involved in Italian sport were facing an embarrassing scandal. The police were outside stadiums, ready and waiting to arrest the players as soon as matches finished. Cacciatori, Giordano, Manfredonia and Wilson were detained, while around the country a host of other players were arrested for having conditioned the outcome of a number of games. Paolo Rossi and Giuseppe Savoldi also gave evidence, and Italian football was stunned. Punishments The earthquake that followed led to stringent penalties. Albertosi, Cacciatori and Wilson were banned from football, and then-Milan president Felice Colombo was also sentenced. Pellegrini received a six-year ban, while Wilson, Albertosi and Cacciatori were dealt three, four and five-year suspensions respectively. Della Matira was given five years, while Mandredonia and Salvodi three-and-a-half years. Rossi was banned for 24 months, Morini 10 months, and Damiani three. Another 11 players were suspended, with bans ranging from three months to three years, while Bologna's president Tommaso Fabbretti was ousted for one year. Napoli's coach Luis Vicinio, Bologna's director of sport Riccardo Sogliano and footballers Andrea Agostinelli, Giancarlo Antognoni and Claudio Pellegrini were all acquitted. Consequences Milan and Lazio were hugely affected by the scandal. Both teams were relegated to Serie B, whereas Avellino, Bologna and Perugia were penalised with a five-point penalty the following season. The same punishment was dished out to Serie B sides Palermo and Taranto. As a result of the points penalties, Perugia and Taranto were relegated from Serie B and C1 respectively the following year. Then and now What happened three decades ago was different from now. Apart from the fixed matches, betting on football in any form was illegal. However, the crime of sporting fraud that is levelled at the accused today is grave and, if confirmed, could lead to hefty sanctions for players and directors involved, and for the clubs themselves. While we await clarity over the games that were involved, the team that risks the most is Atalanta. Some claim they could be relegated to last place of Serie B, similar to Juventus' punishment in 2006 in Serie A. They would be in Lega Pro, rather than Serie A following their recent promotion. Harsh penalties for Siena, Lecce, Chievo, Ascoli and Bologna could be handed out, because of the alleged behaviour of players on their books. There are also discussions surrounding Lega Pro clubs involved in the scandal, with further revelations expected. But if you look further inside Pandora's Box, you could find anything and everything.

The Italian football betting scandal - A definitive timeline Calcio has been rocked by another scandal known as Scommessopoli with claims and counter claims as magistrates begin enquiries based on emerging facts. Jun 5, 2011 Wednesday June 1, 2011 A national case explodes. During the night, there are 16 arrests made across the whole of Italy at the end of an investigation led by the police in Cremona on football and betting. Among the names involved are former footballers, directors of clubs and people outside the football world. One stands out - Giuseppe Signori, the former Italy international. Seven of those arrested have been remanded in custody: Antonio Bellavista (ex footballer), Giorgio Buffone (Ravenna director of sport), Massimo Erodiani, Francesco Giannone, Marco Paoloni (Benevento goalkeeper), Gianfranco Parlato (ex footballer) and Marco Pirani. Others have been placed on house arrest: Mauro Bressan (ex footballer), Manlio Bruni, Francesca La Civita, Vittorio Micolucci (Ascoli), Ismet Mehmeti, Giuseppe Signori (ex footballer), Vincenzo Sommese (Ascoli), Gianluca Tuccella and Almir Gegic. Another 28 people are also under investigation. Among this group is Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni, who was allegedly involved in phone calls relating to the scandal, but these have not been established as of yet. Stefano Bettarini is also involved and in the past both have been under the microscope during previous betting investigations. The majority of those under investigation are accused of being involved in an organisation that allegedly conditions results, mostly in Serie B and Lega Pro, but with some interest in Serie A. The Inter - Lecce game from the 2010-11 season is of concern, because consistent betting figures were said to have made considerable returns. For some there are allegations of criminal conspiracy, while for others it is in connection with fraud. Repercussions for the competitions under probe are serious, as revealed by investigative judge Guido Salvini. "The activities of the association are still ongoing and it is having an impact on the final phases of the various leagues, with big damages for clubs, loyal punters and on the fairness of these competitions," he said. Here are the matches under scope during the police investigation entitled 'Last Bet': Serie A 20/3/2011 Inter - Lecce Serie A 2/4/2011 Brescia - Bologna Serie B 25/2/2011 Livorno - Ascoli Serie B 12/3/2011 Ascoli - Atalanta Serie B 19/3/2011 Atalanta - Piacenza Serie B 26/3/2011 Padova - Atalanta Serie B 27/3/2011 Siena - Sassuolo Lega Pro A 17/10/2010 Cremonese - Spezia Lega Pro A 21/10/2010 Monza - Cremonese Lega Pro A 14/11/2010 Cremonese - Paganese Lega Pro A 16/1/2011 Spal - Cremonese Lega Pro A 27/2/2011 Verona - Ravenna Lega Pro A 10/3/2011 Reggiana - Ravenna Lega Pro A 20/3/2011 Alessandria - Ravenna Lega Pro A 27/3/2011 Ravenna - Spezia Lega Pro B 13/2/2011 Benevento - Viareggio Lega Pro B 28/2/2011 Benevento - Cosenza Lega Pro B 13/3/2011 Taranto - Benevento Lega Pro B 21/3/2011 Benevento - Pisa The investigation begun after a series of strange events during the Cremonese - Paganese match in Lega Pro which took place on November 14, 2010, and ended in a 2-0 win for the home side. During and following the encounter, around five players and a member of the technical staff noted that there was a strange atmosphere on the pitch and added that some performances were below standard. One of these, Carlo Gervasoni, was involved in a car crash on the way home. The enquiries - which began following the allegations from Cremonese in relation to the game and were based on a number of telephone wiretaps - have allowed investigators to conclude the strange atmosphere was because Marco Paoloni, at the time a goalkeeper for the Lombardy-based club, had provided drinks that allegedly contained a tranquiliser. Paoloni, who now plays for Benevento, was trying to assure his team-mates performed below par and thus help to condition the outcome of the game. Those that have been involved in the scandal have reacted. Signori simply said "have pity", while Atalanta and Siena both defended their positions with a number of official statements. Institutions such as the Italian FA (FIGC) have opened their own enquiry, while Italy internaitonals Alessandro Matri and Andrea Pirlo say that the whole affair is a "disgrace". Thursday, June 2 Italian football awakes and is stunned by the latest scandal, as people analyse the possible effects of this page of history that so many want to be removed. What risks for the clubs involved? How can it change the league's outcomes ahead of next season? It all depends on a case-by-case basis. Atalanta appear to be the club with most to lose, while Sampdoria moving back to Serie A is unlikely, though they are linked to a Serie A club being involved in the 'Last Bet' investigations. From hour to hour, plenty is discussed about the whole affair. All the headlines surround Doni, allegedly the most involved in Scommessopoli. The midfielder has claimed innocence. Zdenek Zeman says he is "disgraced" when asked an opinion on the latest blow for Calcio, while Italy boss Cesare Prandelli invites everyone to stay calm. Luciano Moggi also reacts - but he is still fighting Calciopoli II at the Tribunal of Naples. A number of reports linked to the case begin to emerge. Under the eye of investigators are Inter - Lecce (1-0), Atalanta - Piacenza (3-0), Livorno - Ascoli (1-1), and Alessandria - Ravenna (2-1). Meanwhile, everything is ready for the investigators to ask questions in Cremona. Friday, June 3 The day of interrogations begins with another big name entangled in proceedings. Daniele De Rossi is called to answer questions over the 4-3 result between Genoa and Roma last February. The discussions last a few hours, but it proves to be a false alarm and the public prosecutors in Cremona rubbish the allegations and suspicions over the game, in which the capital giants led 3-0 only to lose 4-3. In the meantime, new claims and counter claims surface around the scandal. The organisation under investigation, and based in Milan, are alleged to have close links with Paoloni and the criminal underworld outside of football. Stefano Pallazzi, the investigator at FIGC, prepares to open his own case into what is happening in Cremona. Among the hoard of papers and legal documents, the names of Claudio Lotito, Lazio president, and the Della Valles (Fiorentina owners) pop up. The feeling is a wave will hit the scandal head on from new angles with a number of high-profile individuals allegedly involved. The protagonists line up in Cremona. The most significant information comes from Marco Pirani, who gives evidence for around four hours. The former footballer, now a dentist, says Serie A games were also fixed. Beppe Signori remains calm, but after the day's proceedings, his and Doni's position appears worse off. Saturday June, 4 The lights shine on possible involvement from Serie A. "There are five teams involved, one of them is a big one," is the word from Cremona - where investigations continue. Meanwhile, speculation increases over a game involving Catania and Chievo from January. There are also rumours regarding Milan - Napoli, a game important to the destination of the Scudetto on February 28, although there is nothing to suggest anything incriminating from the evidence of phone calls which emerge. Ravenna declare their position and they defend it staunchly by saying they are unaware of all the facts. Meanwhile, investigators uncover a number of cheques totalling around

Andrea Pirlo: I made the right choice leaving AC Milan for Juventus Italy international feels he made a good call in leaving San Siro for Turin, and he is determined to prove his view where it counts - on the pitch. Jun 6, 2011 Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has defended his decision to quit Serie A champions AC Milan to join Juventus. The Azzurri playmaker's deal with the Rossoneri expired this summer and the two parties decide to part company 10 years after his switch to Milanello from local rivals Inter. Days after saying goodbye to Milan, Pirlo joined Juventus on a three-year contract under an agreement revealed by Goal.com back in March. "I am happy with the choice I made," Pirlo said. "We have to see the results on the pitch and that will show whether I made the right choice in changing team and whether Milan were right in letting me leave," he told the press. Juve have also signed left-back Reto Ziegler from relegated Sampdoria and are being linked daily with moves to reinforce their forward line as they look to rebuild their squad having missed out on European football in 2010-11.

ALESSIO TACCHINARDI Nato a Crema il 23 luglio 1975, ha fatto rapidamente le sue scelte: la Juventus e Platini. Daltra parte in quei tempi (fine anni settanta, primi ottanta) la scelta era obbligata: cera una squadra che vinceva e dettava legge e cera un campione che parlava con la r moscia, dava spettacolo ed incantava, oltre a risultare spietatamente decisivo. «Quando avevo dodici o tredici anni, mio padre mi portò a Torino per vedere per la prima volta dal vivo la mia squadra preferita. Era un Juventus - Sampdoria, ricordo ancora lemozione per la cornice di folla del Comunale e per il fatto di poter vedere giocare dal vivo i miei idoli. Fu una bellissima partita, decisa da uno straordinario goal di Platini. Cosa potevo pretendere di più?» La carriera di Alessio Tacchinardi prende la via di Bergamo, dopo che suo fratello Massimiliano, difensore di ruolo di qualche anno più grande di lui, aveva trovato fiducia nelle giovanili dellInter. Impostato fin da giovanissimo come centrocampista, Alessio Tacchinardi negli Allievi dellAtalanta era utilizzato stabilmente come tornante. Vista la sua personalità, il senso della posizione, lautorità e la perentorietà del lancio, Prandelli decise di proporlo come regista. Lesperimento riuscì perfettamente ed il giovanissimo Alessio fu protagonista assoluto dellirripetibile stagione che portò la squadra nerazzurra a dominare la scena giovanile vincendo, nel 1993, il Torneo di Viareggio ed il campionato nazionale Primavera. La Juventus lo opziona nello stesso anno, lasciandolo ancora una stagione con i nerazzurri. Un litigio fra i dirigenti dellAtalanta ed il nuovo corso juventino (erano già daccordo per lasciarlo unaltra stagione a Bergamo, a maturare con Mondonico, quando le richieste esorbitanti per definire le posizioni di Morfeo e Locatelli interruppero bruscamente il dialogo ed incrinarono i rapporti fra i due club, tradizionalmente amici) dirottò Alessio Tacchinardi a Torino con un anno di anticipo rispetto ai tempi previsti. Alla Juventus, Tacchinardi trova davanti a sé due centrocampisti di consolidata fama internazionale come Paulo Sousa e Deschamps. Ma è il portoghese, indubbiamente, luomo a cui somiglia di più. «Avere davanti a me Paulo Sousa è molto importante», diceva Tacchinardi durante il ritiro di Buochs, «perché gioca come piace a me. Da lui potrò imparare molto e crescere ulteriormente». Il portoghese, che non è certo un vecchio, era anchegli molto accattivante nei suoi giudizi. «Tacchinardi», ha detto Paulo Sousa, «ha già grandi qualità: il suo senso della posizione e la rapidità nellimpostare sono già buone. A mio avviso dovrebbe rischiare un tantino di più il lancio lungo: piedi ed intelligenza non gli fanno certo difetto». «Ha già una notevole maturità», sono le parole Didier Deschamps dopo le prime partitelle, «deve solo migliorare nel recupero della palla: una qualità che cresce insieme con la maturazione fisica». La Juventus gioca a zona e Lippi decide di schierarlo nel ruolo di difensore centrale; una soluzione azzeccata, poiché gli permette di compiere grandi passi. La convocazione nella Under 18 gli spalanca cieli azzurri. Sergio Vatta, il tecnico che lo ha lanciato in Nazionale, dice: «Alessio è fra i migliori giocatori che ho avuto. Possiede una straordinaria visione di gioco e sa intuire con molto anticipo come si muoveranno i compagni». Quasi scontata la promozione in Nazionale A. Gioca la prima gara come difensore, accanto a Ferrara e Costacurta, il 6 settembre 1995 a Udine contro la Slovenia (1-0). Arrigo Sacchi, per il Campionato Europeo delle Nazioni, convoca praticamente tutto il calcio italiano. Alessio gioca la sua onesta partita, ma poi deve fare posto ai rientranti Maldini, Benarrivo, Mussi, Apolloni ed agli esordienti Torricelli, Pessotto, Carnasciali e Padalino. Con larrivo di Cesare Maldini le cose peggiorano e Tacchinardi non ha possibilità di scendere in campo. Lo riscopre Zoff che, il 23 febbraio 2000, lo fa giocare a Palermo contro la Svezia (1-0). Ma arrivare alla terza presenza è dura. Altra musica si balla alla Juventus. Loccasione giusta arriva nel 1995 a Parma, finale di Coppa Italia: Lippi lo piazza in difesa e lui gioca una delle più brillanti partite della carriera. Dopo lexploit di 24 presenze, soffre una crisi di identità di ruolo: libero o centrocampista? Il dubbio viene sciolto dal campo nel 1997: da quel momento in poi, in Italia e in Europa, applaudiranno un grande centrocampista dotato anche di una gran fucilata da fuori area. Dopo Lippi, Carletto Ancelotti ne fa uno dei protagonisti dei suoi quasi due scudetti. Quando Umberto Agnelli scarica, con uno stile Juventus tutto personale, Ancelotti per restituire la panchina a Lippi, Tacchinardi regala a Carletto un goal di rara bellezza contro lAtalanta, ultima gara di un campionato sfortunato, il 2000/01. Ritorna Lippi e, per Alessio, sono altri anni di grandi trionfi; due scudetti, due Supercoppe Italiane ed una finale di Champions League persa contro il Milan. Dopo Lippi è il turno di Capello; con Don Fabio, Tacchinardi conosce più la panchina che il campo, ma riesce a conquistare un nuovo tricolore, il sesto della sua eccezionale carriera. Nellestate del 2005, Alessio abbandona la Juventus e si accasa in Spagna, nel Villareal; nonostante non sia una squadra formata da grandi campioni, Tacchinardi riesce a trasferirne tutta la sua esperienza fino a portarla alla semifinale di Champions League, eliminati dallArsenal, con grande rimpianto per un calcio di rigore fallito, nel finale della partita di ritorno, dallargentino Riquelme. «Dopo larrivo di Capello mi sono sentito ai margini della squadra. Così, quando è arrivata la proposta del Villarreal, lho accettata. In Spagna ci sono meno tensioni e pressioni. Lì se provi la giocata e non ti riesce, non ti fischiano. Diciamo che in Spagna, come in altri Paesi, cè più cultura sportiva. Quando abbiamo eliminato lInter dalla Champions, ho provato una grandissima gioia!» Un grande fra i grandi protagonisti bianconeri, con 404 presenze, 15 reti e ben 16 trofei conquistati.