Carobbio points finger at Conte

The extent of Filippo Carobbio’s allegations against Juventus coach Antonio Conte has begun to circulate in the Italian media.

His deposition to investigators claims that the coach was aware of alleged match-fixing involving Siena’s president Massimo Mezzaroma.

The midfielder was detained by police last December as part of the ongoing Scommessopoli investigations into the match-fixing of several Serie A and B matches in 2010-11.

He claimed in his testimony that Mezzaroma sent a messenger down to the locker room to ask the players about the possibility of losing so he could win money on a bet, something the coaching staff, then including Conte, were aware of.

Siena and Conte have moved to officially deny such allegations.

However, Carobbio’s claims, given to investigators in Cremona, were damning of Mezzaroma.

“Before the Serie B match between Siena and Varese, president Mezzaroma sent someone close to him to the locker room to ask about the possibility of losing the game,” Carobbio said.

“That person then went on to say the president had wagered on our defeat.

“I later learned from our assistant coach that the coaching staff also knew of this arrangement made by Mezzaroma.”

Conte, who led Siena to promotion to Serie A that campaign, had his house searched by police as part of the investigations on Monday.

If Carobbio’s statements are proven, the coach could be charged with failing to report Mezzaroma’s misdeeds.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/carobbio-points-finger-at-conte/95543/

Conte denies match-fixing slurs

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has reiterated that he was unaware of any match-fixing while he was at Siena.

It has been alleged that the former Italy international was aware of a plot to arrange the outcome of a crucial Serie B clash with Novara on April 30, 2011 and the 42-year-old’s house was searched on Monday as part of a police investigation into ‘Scommessopoli’.

However, Conte said that he has nothing to hide from the Cremona public prosecutor leading the corruption enquiry and insists that there was nothing untoward about Siena’s return to the top flight last summer.

“My history as a football player and coach speaks for itself: you can ask my team-mates, my players and my opponents,” he stated during a press conference on Monday.

“But for all my honesty and integrity, I have been attacked with sticks.

“Last year with Siena we secured a promotion with sacrifices and hard work. It was an extraordinary year and I reiterate my non-involvement and that of my guys.

“Why did I not hear from the Cremona prosecutor before being investigated?”

It has also been reported Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci is also under suspicion in relation to a game between his former club, Bari, and Udinese during the 2009-10 Serie A season.

However, Juve president Andrea Agnelli is adamant that neither Conte nor Bonucci have done anything wrong.

“This is a worrying picture for the world of football, which we are following with apprehension and bitterness, but Antonio Conte is not part of it,” he said.

“His role from what we are reading is nearly insignificant and then, we also know the man and his values of integrity and honesty.

“Juventus as a club, and I personally, are on the side of Antonio Conte and Leonardo Bonucci, who we have learned is to be investigated.

“We hope that Leo will have a great European Championship. Antonio is, and will be, our coach, who will guide us into the Champions League.”

Earlier this month, Conte led Juve to their first official title since 2003 in his first season in charge of the Bianconeri.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/conte-denies-match-fixing-slurs/95414/