Lazio captain Mauri among 19 arrested over match-fixing

Italy’s preparations for Euro 2012 have been disrupted after 19 people, including Lazio skipper Stefano Mauri, were arrested over match-fixing.

A number of high-profile figures are under investigation for their role in the Scommessopoli scandal, with Italian police arresting Mauri, who has been capped 11 times for Italy, for his alleged role, while former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto was among the others arrested, authorities have revealed.

“In this part of the investigation, indications have emerged of manipulation in matches from the 2010-11 Serie A championship, including games between Lazio and Genoa and Lecce and Lazio,” Raffale Grassi, director of SCO, the police service responsible for the investigation told SkyTG24 television.

The persons detained on Monday are under suspicion of being part of an illegal international betting ring led by Singaporean gambling identity Tan Seet Eng, who was arrested late in 2011.

Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito, who is currently preparing for next month’s European Champions with Italy, had his room searched at the country’s training camp in Coverciano on Monday morning.

Additionally, Juventus championship-winning manager Antonio Conte was also pinpointed by the authorities and had his house searched as part of the probe.

Monday’s operation is part of a wider investigation into match-fixing in Italian football.

Former Italy internationals Cristiano Doni and Giuseppe Signori were handed three-and-half-year and five-year bans respectively for their roles in the same scandal.