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"Match-fixing" in Italian football continues - the third club expelled from the highest "Serie A" division became the club, which after an investigation has been decided to relegate to the third most powerful "Serie C1" due to fixed matches at the end of the previous season. On the last day of the 2004/05 season, "Genoa" defeated "Venezia" team 3-2 and secured promotion to the top league without extra matches. This match raised suspicion, leading to an investigation which concluded this week. After the findings were announced, it was revealed that "Genoa" paid 250 thousand euros to "Venezia" before the match, and phone recordings showed that this money was intended to ensure the result. Investigators listened to phone calls mentioning phrases like "there is an agreement between clubs", "there is money, but it's unclear who will take it", and "the club will take it". Considering all the circumstances, the Italian football league decided to expel Genoa to "Serie C1" and impose a three-point penalty. In addition, Genoa's president Enrico Preziosi, who announced his resignation, and general manager Stefano Capozucca were banned from working in football for five years. "Venezia" also did not escape sanctions - the club's general manager Francesco Dal Cinas along with 23-year-old goalkeeper from Czech Republic Martin Lejsal received a five-year ban, 34-year-old forward Massimo Borgobello will not be able to play for six years. Both clubs have the right to appeal, and according to Genoa's lawyer Alfredo Biondi, they should do so. However, it is uncertain if the appeals will be successful - so far, the attempts to appeal by the relegated "Torino" and "Messina" due to financial problems, as well as by other lower league clubs, have failed, but they will continue to fight in court. The teams that benefit the most from these events are "Bologna" and "Treviso", which based on their on-field results were supposed to play in a lower league, but now have the chance to participate in the "Serie A" competition, which should start on August 28."
