Italian Scandal: Juventus Manager Has Plea Bargain Denied

Juventus Manager Antonio Conte faces a 15 month ban from Italian Football.

Many fans of Italian football, such as myself, have been nervously watching the scandal that's unfolded this summer over match fixing in the Italian professional leagues.  At one point it was even suggested that the entire Serie A season might be canceled.  It also nearly forced the Italians to withdraw from Euro 2012 after members of the side were implicated prior to the tournament.

Today some more big news came down the pipe, and it effects the manager of the defending Serie A champs.  Last year Antonio Conte led Juventus to an unbeaten season en route to what they count as their 30th scudetto.  Now he faces possibly being banned from Italian football for up to 15 months.

At issue are two matches that took place in 2010-2011 when Conte managed then Serie B side Siena.  Match fixing was found to have taken place in these matches, and Conte is accused of not reporting it to the Italian football authorities. 

For their part, Siena had submitted various plea bargains to the Italian FIGC, and one has finally been accepted.  They will be docked 6 points to start the new Serie A campaign this season.  Conte has been cleared of direct involvement in the match fixing, but has been seeking a compromise on these other charges.  Today the FIGC rejected a plea bargain that would have seen Conte serve a three month ban and pay a fine of 200,000 Euros.  Now he must submit a new offer to the FIGC or he'll face a tribunal.  Either of those options will most certianly result in a longer ban, perhaps up to 15 months as being mentioned by the Associated Press.

The scandal has hit other clubs as well.  Torino, which was promoted back to Serie A,  will start with a 1 point penalty and pay a 30,000 Euro fine.  Lower in the Italian leagues Novara, Varese, Albinoeffe, and Grossetto also will have various point penalties and pay various fines.