Napoli could face match-fixing sanctions

Napoli could incur a one-point deduction and a 100,000-euro fine for their alleged involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal.

An Italian Football Federation prosecutor has called for Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava to be suspended for nine months after they were asked to rig a Serie A match.

The accusations revolve around the fixture between Sampdoria and Napoli on May 16, 2010, which the former won 1-0 to seal their place in the following season’s Champions League playoffs.

However, it is believed that former reserve goalkeeper Matteo Gianello had asked the pair of defenders to participate in an attempt to fix the match, only for the request to be turned down.

“Gianello’s proposal on Cannavaro and Grava refers to someone who reported, in confidence, acts of criminal activity,” the 51-year-old said in his indictment on Monday.

“For him, there was also the trial, so why did he need to make these statements? Napoli had no goals to be achieved, so it makes it all the more plausible.

“It is not true that we have multiple versions (of his statement). There is a full transcript of Gianello, who confesses both his and Grava and Cannavaro’s misconduct.”

Gianello, who left Napoli last summer, had originally agreed a plea bargain with FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi so he would only sit out 16 months, but the Disciplinary Committee rejected the pact.

Palazzi has since revised his demands and now wants the former Siena and Chievo keeper to be banned for three years and three months for both sporting fraud and his knowledge of criminal contacts.

“The prosecution calls Gianello to be sentenced to a suspension of three years and three months,” he said.

“For Cannavaro, it is different given his role and his steadfast refusal (to report match-fixing) by a person implicated by the proposal.

“Still, it is clear that he should be banned for nine months, as should Grava. For Napoli, in relation to its players’ (misconduct), they should incur a point penalty this season and a 100,000 euro fine.”

Napoli currently lie third in Serie A, five points behind leaders Juventus.