Former World Cup Winner Gattuso Investigated for Match-Fixing

A new Italian match-fixing scandal has broken out with World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso in the centre of it.

The former Milan, Rangers and Italy midfielder has been placed under investigation for match-fixing and four more people have been arrested in an early morning police sweep in Italy.

Cremona prosecutor Roberto Di Martino said that Gattuso and retired Lazio player Cristian Brocchi were allegedly part of a ring that fixed Serie A and other Italian matches at the end of the 2010-11 season.

The duo, who had their homes searched, reportedly face charges of criminal conspiracy and sports fraud.

“Gattuso and Brocchi were connected to the case by the use of phone taps,” said Di Martino.

The four people arrested are Salvatore Spadaro, Francesco Bazzani, Cosimo Rinci and Fabio Quadri; each of whom allegedly helped connect fixers to players.

Gattuso, 35, who was in charge at Swiss club Sion until February, was sacked by Serie B club Palermo in September after achieving only two wins and a draw in the first six games of the season.

Gattuso’s agent Andrea D’Amico said: “Gennaro is stunned by the news.”

“I spoke to him and he is returning home (to Milan). We are remaining calm and we have to be patient and see how the investigation develops.

“However, just because he is under investigation does not mean anything. For all we know this could be just false allegations.

“Sometimes when you are a famous player, it is very easy for your name to appear and to be a target. We will wait and see how the situation develops.”

More than 50 people have been arrested in Italy for match-fixing since mid-2011, with matches under investigation by prosecutors in Cremona, Bari and Naples.

It has resulted in lengthy bans for former Lazio captains Giuseppe Signori and Stefano Mauri, as well as former Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni. Several clubs have also had points deducted.

This also follows the recent match-fixing scandals that have broken out in England.

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