Match-fixing case brings bans
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Article summary
Four players and a coach have been banned after an Italian Football Federation investigation into match-fixing.
Article body
All banned
The FIGC has also banned Antonio Marasco, who played for Modena FC, for three years; AC Siena's Generoso Rossi and Roberto D'Aversa for one year and six months respectively; and former AC Siena coach Giovanni Papadopulo for five months. In addition, relegated Modena will start the forthcoming Serie B campaign with a five-point deduction.
Last season
All the offences were committed last season. The 32-year-old Bettarini had recently terminated his contract with UC Sampdoria. The left-back, who also played for Cagliari Calcio, ACF Fiorentina, Bologna FC and AC Venezia in Serie A, won his first and only cap for Italy last February in a friendly against the Czech Republic.
Careers on hold
The 34-year-old Marasco is also without a club after his contract with Modena expired last June. As for goalkeeper Rossi, 25, and the 29-year-old midfield player D'Aversa, their careers at Siena are now on hold. Their former coach Papadopulo is without a job after being sacked at the end of last season.