Calciopoli case, lessons not learned from another arbitration scandal

In Italy, they noticed earlier, but, based on proven facts alone, theirs started later. By the time the police began to enter into other people’s conversations, Barcelona had already invested a good peak in the second place at the head of the judicial institution. A spending spree that didn’t stop even when Juve suddenly went from winning the scudetto in 2005-2006 to competing in Serie B for the first time in their (now) 125-year history. The Calciopoli case didn’t set off any alarm bells at the Camp Nou, despite the fact that it bears some similarities to what has been reported about the payments Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. The most important thing: it affects the image of one of the big clubs in Europe and the judges of one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.

crime

Match-fixing accidentally exposed

If in Negreiro’s case, a tax inspection unrelated to the world of football revealed Barcelona’s payments to the former referee, the plot of the Calciopoli case was exposed by accident. The eavesdropping They tried to gather details about the possible doping of Juventus players. However, they discovered the interventions of the leaders of various clubs in fixing the arbitration appointments. It is not shown that the elected members received monetary compensation for favoring these teams, but they were conditioned to perform their work in a certain way.

Although at first the courts in Turin threatened to ignore the matter, the leak to the media caused a public reaction that forced the judiciary to intervene.

those involved

Luciano Moggi, in the center of the plot

The only one involved who remains disabled is Luciano Mogi. Among the information gathered are transcripts of several conversations held by the then general manager of Juve – the case has been renamed Moggigate. The executive director of the club, Antonio Giraudo, also participated. In addition, the matter washed over the presidents Milan (Galliani) and lied (Claudio Lotto). Among the judges, international Massimo de Santis was the most affected. Along with them, the directors of Fiorentina and Reggina appear in the instructions, as well as the one who was the president Italian Football Federation Franco Carraro.

The second part of the investigation, known as the Calciopolis encore, involved Brescia, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Empoli, Inter Milan, Palermo, Udinese and Vicenza, although they received no punishment as the facts were deemed to warrant.

punishment

Sports sanctions that have been cut

If in the scandal surrounding the payments to Negreira it is feared that the possible punishments could take years, the Italian judiciary was much faster. At least the sports field that opened the process in July 2006.

It considered the double dip for Juve and the delegation of others involved in the B-series. However, only the black and white team fell down the category and its point sanction for the next year was gradually reduced. Of the 30 originally set to 9, he eventually lost. In addition, his last two championship titles were revoked.

The rest of the teams highlighted by the listeners lost points, although Milan managed to compete (and win) the Champions League in the academic year 2006-2007. The managers also saw their sorrows eased (except for the aforementioned Moggi) and Galliani and Lotito returned to the front line.

As for the criminal hearings, which began in 2008, they mainly served to introduce new wiretapping and increase the number of clubs. The recipe watered down the possible penalties.

Consequences

Brain drain and years in the shadows before re-emerging

Ibrahimović, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta and other top players did not see Juventus’ revival and left the club after relegation. However, the Turin entity managed to keep several of their stars, with whom they won promotion and began the reconstruction that culminated with title from 2012to which he spun another eight.