Italian FA delivers bans in match-fixing scandal

ROME - Agence France-Presse

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) yesterday handed down a two-point deduction to Pescara for its role in the ongoing sports-betting, match-fixing scandal known as Calcioscommesse.

Pescara was promoted to Serie A at the end of the season just finished, and will kick off the 2012-13 campaign in the top flight with minus two points.

In addition, Novara, who was relegated to Serie B, was handed a four-point penalty and third-tier Albinoleffe was deducted 15 points.

Four players were banned. Former Inter, Parma and Roma defender Luigi Sartor was banned from all footballing activity for five years along with Mario Cassano, Alessandro Zamperini and Nicola Santoni.
These bans are the longest handed down in the investigation so far.

In total the FIGC have so far punished 21 teams and 52 players.

Serie A side Atalanta was last month given a two-point deduction, applicable from the start of next season, for their part in the affair, while Lazio captain Stefano Mauri was arrested on suspicion of involvement.