Antonio Conte’s FIFA Ban Extended to Include Champions League Matches

September 14, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte’s FIFA ban has been extended to include Champions League matches starting next week.

Conte was suspended for ten months by the Italian Football Federation for allegedly not reporting a suspect fixture during his time with Siena back in 2010.

However, he had still performed match-day duties during friendly games so the rules regarding his position when Juventus kick off their European campaign against Chelsea on Wednesday was previously in doubt.

The world governing body has ended that speculation in a statement released on Friday afternoon. It said the ban “covers all types of matches, including domestic, international, friendly and official fixtures.”

With Conte set to face a second appeal hearing next week, FIFA’s statement went on to say the sanction could be changed if he is successful.

Juventus technical director and former player Massimo Carrera has taken over Conte’s duties on match days with the banned coach continuing to lead the team during training sessions.

FIFA also revealed others caught up in the match-fixing trials will be subject to similar punishment. The statement went on to say it is “currently reviewing additional documentation provided by the Italian federation in relation to other sanctions.”