Post by johnnywarren on Dec 6, 2006 15:31:14 GMT 10
Kalac named in betting scandal -
Italy forwards Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Di Michele were among 21 players identified by prosecutors for involvement in an illegal betting ring, media reports said Tuesday.
Prosecutor Lorenzo Del Giudice's investigation concluded that bets totaling more than ($A17.77 million) were made by football players between 1998 and 2005, according to the ANSA news agency.
Other players alleged involved include Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac and Czech midfielder Marek Jankulovski of AC Milan, according to ANSA and the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
Prosecutors were unavailable for immediate comment.
Iaquinta, who plays for Udinese, and other players have denied any wrongdoing.
"From the information in our possession, the players for Udinese have not committed anything illicit. That lets us remain composed and calmly await justice to run its course," Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo said on the club's Web site.
Udinese captain Giampiero Pinzi was also named in the inquiry. Di Michele left Udinese for Palermo last season.
Betting was only banned for Italian football players in November 2005, although the inquiry suggests players placed wagers through an illegal bookmaker.
The findings were sent to the Italian Football Federation, which could suspend players for up to one year.
Italy forwards Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Di Michele were among 21 players identified by prosecutors for involvement in an illegal betting ring, media reports said Tuesday.
Prosecutor Lorenzo Del Giudice's investigation concluded that bets totaling more than ($A17.77 million) were made by football players between 1998 and 2005, according to the ANSA news agency.
Other players alleged involved include Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac and Czech midfielder Marek Jankulovski of AC Milan, according to ANSA and the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
Prosecutors were unavailable for immediate comment.
Iaquinta, who plays for Udinese, and other players have denied any wrongdoing.
"From the information in our possession, the players for Udinese have not committed anything illicit. That lets us remain composed and calmly await justice to run its course," Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo said on the club's Web site.
Udinese captain Giampiero Pinzi was also named in the inquiry. Di Michele left Udinese for Palermo last season.
Betting was only banned for Italian football players in November 2005, although the inquiry suggests players placed wagers through an illegal bookmaker.
The findings were sent to the Italian Football Federation, which could suspend players for up to one year.
