Corruption investigation gets support in Italy

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) will cooperate with an investigation into match fixing following the arrest of 16 people on Wednesday.

The investigation began after a Serie C match between Cremonese and Paganese last November.

Cremonese players allegedly had their drinks spiked, with a number falling ill during the match.

Former Lazio captain and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was among those arrested, with current players and executives from Serie B and C questioned and prosecutors revealing 18 matches were under investigation.

“The federation will cooperate with the investigation and will defend the interests of the football image as well as correctness and transparency of the football bodies,” FIGC general director Antonello Valentini said.

“Anything that helps to bring clarity, eliminate doubts and clear the atmosphere will find the FIGC at the forefront and ready to cooperate.”

“We trust the work that is being done by the authorities and we give our maximum cooperation, but at the same time we request caution and prudence considering the delicate procedures as we await more information.”

The investigation is the latest in a long line of Italian match-fixing scandals with the most recent in 2006 World Cup, when several clubs were hit with points deductions and Juventus were stripped of two Serie A titles.