10 months anticipated for Conte

The Gazzetta dello Sport believe that Antonio Conte is almost certainly going to be handed an initial 10-month ban from football for his alleged role in the betting scandal.

The Coach is accused of being aware of two attempted fixes in Serie B games when in charge of Siena. Having seen an initial plea bargain of a three-month ban rejected by the Discipline Commission, reports earlier this week suggested that he could be hit with a subsequent 10-month ban.

That belief remains the case, as the Commission meets today to decide their sentences for those involved. The 10-month ban being reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport this afternoon as almost certain is five less than prosecutor Stefano Palazzi first suggested and would still be subject to Conte appealing it.

Whilst the Commission are understood to be considering Filippo Carobbio and Carlo Gervasoni’s testaments as reliable, which is why Conte faces this ban, the Gazzetta dello Sport also believe that they do not hold Andrea Masiello’s declarations in the same light.

If this is true then Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe would see charges against them dropped. Bonucci is facing a charge of direct involvement in an attempted fix in May 2010, whilst at Bari, and a possible three-year, six-month ban. Pepe is accused of knowing about this same fix, whilst an Udinese player and faces a possible 12-month ban.

The Discipline Commission will make public their recommended punishments for those involved in the case on Thursday morning, from which point affected parties will have five days to prepare an appeal.

Yesterday, reports suggested that any player banned as a result of the trial will have to forego wages. There are also persistent rumours that Conte has fallen out with Juventus over the matter and that if he faces the ban, he will resign his position as Coach after this weekend’s Supercoppa Italiana against Napoli.

is it still possible he wont get a banned if not found guilty??

Reports are saying Bonnuci and Pepe are going to be acquitted (no bans) and Conte to be given 10 months which is expected to go down to 4 with appeals. Ridiculous but the fact that we don't have to spend money buying a CB to cover Bonnuci should allow us to spend more on the elusive CF we have been looking for.

It seems like such a stupid formality that Conte will start with ten month and eventually get it knocked down to four months on appeal. The whole process is so stupid.

It's official that 10 month is given to Conte, while Pepe and Bonucci are acquitted as it was expected. I'm really sad about this, but at least Bonucci is not getting a ban, he was really good at the end of the season & at the Euros

I really wish I knew all the facts about the trial, but it trully seems like the figc just likes to *bleep* with us.. It's such bullsh*t

Anyways, I'm more than sure we'll be fine.. Juventus have always played better when they have a chip on their shoulder. I'm curious as to how much it'll affect the team by him not being there. I'm sure the whole organization will rally around this situation and be even more motivated this season.

Not sure what the club will do at this point, but I kinda do hope they stand by him.. I'm curious to see how the whole coaching situation develops.

Why were some teams penalized lightly and others sent down to Lega Pro? From what I read, it sounds like Lecce and Grossetto had knowlege of the activity, so what did Bari, Siena, and other teams do to just get point reductions and fines? The sentences all seem to very harsh or very light with nothing in between.

Its official Conte has a ten-month ban, Bonucci and Pepe are acquitted.

Conte got himself a new lawyer ,pretty sure the ban will be reduced on appeal.

Juve offer full support to Conte
By Football Italia staff

Juventus have welcomed the news that Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are acquitted in the betting trial and vow to stand by Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio.

Coach Conte and his assistant Alessio have been handed 10 and eight-month bans from the dugout respectively for their alleged roles played in the betting scandal whilst at Siena in 2010-11.

Meanwhile, defender Bonucci and midfielder Pepe have been acquitted, with Andrea Masiello’s testimony ruled inconsistent by the Disciplinary Commission. The duo were on opposite teams in Bari’s May 2010 match with Udinese, with Bonucci alleged to have had direct involvement in its attempted fix and Pepe alleged to have had knowledge.

Almost as soon as the verdicts for all four men were announced, Juventus posted a statement on their website offering full support going forward.

“Juventus Footbalil Club, on the ruling issued by the Disciplinary Commission of FIGC, warmly welcomes the acquittal of its players Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe and reiterates its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio in the hope that the next degree of judgement can finally allow their innocence to emerge fully.”

That next step in the legal system is an appeal in front of the Federal Court of Justice on August 20, less than a week before the club begin their defence of the Serie A crown.

“Regarding the position technically, a pool of legal aid, composed of professionals appointed by the individuals concerned, in full harmony with the club, is already working to prepare the grounds for appeal, in the belief that the reasons for affirming the strangeness of the facts alleged are unchanged.

“Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio will be assisted by attorneys Antonio De Rensis and Luigi Chiappero and the additional lawyer Giulia Bongiorno.”

It frustrates that so much of this supposed "scandal" falls on Juve's shoulders. Even though evidence is lacking, the FIGC is quick to deal with proceeding and hand out harsh, illogical punishments to one of the main men in bringing the club back to the top. Being on the other side of the pond, my knowledge of the Italian judical system is lacking, but glad to hear they're appealing & hope they get a fair hearing without the corruption that is FIGC. Even after all that was uncovered with Calcciopoli, it surprises me how blatantly obvious it is that the FIGC are out to bring down Juve. Tis a damn shame...

Forza Juve... Forza Conte

I don't know if I'd say it's obvious that they are taking down Juve because Bonucci and Pepe did get off without anything. It's just that some of the punishments seem very uneven and that's not just with Juve. I still want to know how some clubs got a few points and fines, while Grossetto and Lecce got demoted to Lega Pro. If someone has a better explanation, I would love to hear it because I do not know all of the facts very well.

Pepe & Bonucci suspensions would be far less of an inconvenience than losing Conte. No disrespect to them as players, but Conte was the mastermind behind our return to the top. He instilled his values as a player into this current team. He has them focused till the final whistle, playing physical, posessing the ball with an attacking focus, and bleeding black & white. FIGC understands the reprecussions of taking our leader...

Worse comes to worse, if this absurd ruling stands, I see Nedved as the only one who could keep the team progressing in the same fashion. Maybe he could take the reign on matchdays for the length of the ban.