17.12.2013 22:39 h

Football: Ex-Juve chief Moggi's jail term cut

Vergebliche Aufholjagd
Vergebliche Aufholjagd

Former Juventus chief Luciano Moggi has had his jail term for his role in a match-fixing scandal cut to two years and four months after an appeal hearing on Tuesday.

Moggi had appealed against the original conviction of five years and four months going back to 2006 before a court in Naples.

The former general manager of Italy's most successful Serie A club was effectively banned from the game for life after being found guilty of sporting fraud and conspiracy in an affair known as 'Calciopoli'.

The scandal centred on the role and influence of referees appointed for league matches and led to Juventus losing the two league titles they won in 2005 and 2006 and to their demotion to Serie B.

Former referees chief Pierluigi Pairetto was sentenced to two years in prison as was the former Italian football federation (FIGC) vice-president Innocenzo Mazzini.

However, the cases against Fiorentina President Andrea Della Valle and Lazio President Claudio Lotito were dropped on Tuesday because they passed the statute of limitations.

Former referee Paolo Bergamo's appeal against a three year, eight month sentence has to be reheard due to a technicality.

Moggi's lawyer Maurilio Prioreschi said his client would be appealing.

Moggi's 12-year spell with Juventus coincided with the club's most successful period.

Juventus won seven league titles, including those revoked, as well as the Champions League, one Italian Cup, four Italian Super Cup titles, one Intercontinental Cup and the European Super Cup.

Other clubs, including AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina were also embroiled and were docked points for their roles in the affair.

Reggina President Pasquale Foti was sentenced to 18 months in prison.