Calciopoli - Part 2

Reggina, Messina, Lecce and Siena are the latest sides to become embroiled in the Italian match-fixing scandal. The head of the investigation team Saverio Borrelli (pictured) and FIGC commissioner Guido Rossi are analysing transcripts of over 300 telephone calls which could incriminate the four clubs. “I wouldn’t call it a second wave of investigations, my team are taking the same investigation further,” Borrelli said. “Every time a violation of the rules is discovered we try to find out as much as we can.”

Reggina face the greatest scrutiny for a number of calls made by club President Pasquale Foti to refereeing designator Paolo Bergamo and the former Juventus director general Luciano Moggi. One call that will be studied closely came on December 4th 2004 – the day before Reggina faced Brescia. The Southern outfit face further investigation after suggestions were made that Reggina didn’t have sufficient funds to register for last season.

Lecce boss Zdenek Zeman has also fuelled controversy by admitting that he was mystified by his own side’s performance against Parma. That match finished 3-3 – a result that ensured Parma faced a relegation play-off and Lecce secured survival.

Reggina, Messina and Siena are all also facing questions regarding their relationship with Juventus and Luciano Moggi. The three sides all conducted a large number of deals with the Bianconeri – last season Siena had six Juve players on loan. Those dealings will now come under intense scrutiny, which could threaten to delay the start of the season if the case goes to court, even if it is unclear how far this fresh investigation will run.

The scandal has already claimed four victims as Milan were kicked out of the Champions League while Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio were relegated to Serie B with points deducted. All of the clubs involved in the previous investigation, who will appeal on Saturday, and the on-going probe have protested their innocence and denied any wrongdoing.