Lengthy bans requested for Bonucci and Pepe

Italy's football federation (FIGC) prosecutor has asked for a three-and-a-half year ban to be imposed on Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci and one year for winger Simone Pepe over match-fixing, the federation said Friday.

Both played key roles in helping Juventus win Serie A last season.

Bonucci, who also helped Italy reach the Euro 2012 final, is accused of helping to fix the result of a match when he played for Bari in May 2010. The game against Udinese ended 3-3.

Pepe, who was playing for Udinese in the same match, faces a lesser charge of failing to report the alleged fix. Both players deny wrongdoing. The FIGC said its tribunal aims to reach a verdict before the end of next week.

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Masiello handed 26-month ban for match-fixing

Former Bari defender Andrea Masiello, now with Atalanta, was banned for 26 months on Friday for his part in the latest match-fixing to hit Italian football.

Promoted Sampdoria were docked one point for the forthcoming Serie A campaign and fined 30,000 euros and Bari, who play in Serie B, were docked five points and fined 80,000 euros.

All the suspensions were handed down after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) tribunal investigating the Calcioscommesse match-fixing scandal, the latest to hit Italian football, accepted plea bargain offers from the defendants.

Former Bari team-mates Alessandro Parisi, Marco Rossi and Marco Esposito were also suspended.

Parisi, who played for Torino in Serie B last season and is now a free agent, will serve a two-year ban, Rossi one year and eight months and Esposito three months and 10 days. The trio were also fined.

Attention focused on several Bari games in the 2010/11 season, when the team was still in Serie A, including one in May last year against local rivals Lecce. Bari, already relegated, lost that match 2-0 with Masiello scoring an own goal in the 80th minute.

Prosecutors believe an international gambling ring paid players to throw matches. Dozens of current and former players in teams ranging from the Serie A top division down to the lower leagues may have been involved, according to investigators.

The most high-profile case involves Juventus coach Antonio Conte who will go to a full sporting trial after his plea bargain offer of a three-month ban was rejected on Wednesday.

Conte, who led Juventus to the Serie A title last season, is accused of failing to report match-fixing in two games in the 2010/11 season when he was coach of Siena, then in Serie B.

Siena had six points deducted on Thursday, a penalty which will also be applied in the 2012/13 season.

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Villarreal agree to sell Valero to Fiorentina

Fiorentina have agreed to sign Villarreal's midfielder Borja Valero, the two clubs said on Wednesday.

Valero, 27, would shortly travel to Italy for a medical and to tie up the details of the move, Villarreal, who were relegated from La Liga last season, said on their website.

A club spokesman declined to confirm media reports that the deal was worth seven million euros.

An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Valero came through Real Madrid's youth academy before joining Real Mallorca and later had a stint at English club West Bromwich Albion. He has made one appearance for Spain.

Fiorentina, which is owned by the Della Valle family of Tod's shoemaking fame, finished 13th in Serie A last term.

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Court rejects Conte's plea bargain for fixing

Juventus coach Antonio Conte's plea bargain offer of a three-month ban for match-fixing was rejected by an Italian football federation (FIGC) tribunal on Wednesday, forcing him to propose a longer ban or face a full sporting trial.
Siena will start the Serie A season with a six-point deduction after their plea bargain was accepted at the second attempt by the FIGC's tribunal over the same case. They must also a pay a 100,000 euros fine.
Promoted Torino were docked one point in Serie A while Varese were deducted one point in Serie B as the tribunal handed out further punishments in the latest scandal to hit Italian football.
Conte, who led Juventus to the Serie A title last season, is accused of failing to report match-fixing in two games in the 2010/11 season when he was coach of Siena, then in Serie B.
Conte, who originally denied all the allegations, changed strategy in recent weeks and tried to reach a deal with federation prosecutor Stefano Palazzi under which he would accept a three-month ban and avoid going to court.
However, the tribunal ruled after a hearing on Wednesday that the proposal agreed with Palazzi, which would have allowed Conte to return to Juventus's bench in November, was not acceptable.
Juventus reacted angrily to the decision.
"Juventus today is imposing a media silence," read a statement on the club's website.
"Tomorrow morning, the situation will be evaluated regarding the events of today which are to be considering, whatever the outcome of this matter, to be a serious act against the good repute of all those involved: professionals, the manager, members and club."
The matches involved in the charges were between Novara and Siena in May 2011, which finished 2-2, and Albinoleffe and Siena in the same month which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Siena.
In total, 13 clubs and 45 players and training staff are facing disciplinary charges over the match-fixing allegations.
The "Calcioscommesse" scandal echoes earlier match-fixing cases which tarnished Italian football in the 1980s and before the 2006 World Cup.
Prosecutors believe an international gambling ring paid players to throw matches in the latest scandal. Dozens of current and former players in teams ranging from the Serie A top division down to the lower leagues may have been involved, according to investigators.

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Berlusconi still open to Kaka capture

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, under pressure from fans after selling two top players, has not ruled out bringing Real Madrid's Brazilian playmaker Kaka back to the club after three largely disappointing seasons in Spain.

"Kaka has remained in our hearts because of the player and the man that he is," Berlusconi was quoted as saying on Milan's website on Tuesday.

"I don't rule out a hypothesis of that sort but it depends on the situation," the former Italian prime minister said.

Berlusconi's daughter Barbara, who oversees "special projects" at the Serie A club, and Milan vice president Adriano Galliani were "splendidly situated at their workdesks", he added cryptically.

The sales of top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and classy defender Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain have angered Milan fans but Berlusconi said the club had to balance the books and would not be making any extravagant buys in the coming years.

Kaka, currently on a pre-season tour with Real in the United States, has shown flashes of brilliance since moving to La Liga for around 65 million euros.

However, the 30-year-old has been sidelined several times by injury and mainly played second fiddle to German international Mesut Ozil last season.

Real coach Jose Mourinho said on Friday Kaka's future was still up in the air but that he would be delighted if he stayed.

The 2007 World Player of the year has been linked in media reports with a move to cash-rich PSG, the Ligue 1 club coached by his former boss at Milan Carlo Ancelotti, as well as a loan deal back to Milan and a move to MLS side New York Red Bulls.

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Roma seal deal for forward Destro

AS Roma have completed the signing of Siena striker Mattia Destro, one of the most sought-after players in Serie A.

Juventus, AC Milan and former owners Inter Milan were among the clubs courting the 21-year-old, who netted 12 league goals for Siena last term and just missed out on a berth in Italy's Euro 2012 squad.

Underachievers Roma, who have also recruited American Michael Bradley and Brazilian Dodo for new coach Zdenek Zeman over the close-season, said in a statement on Monday that they had signed Destro in a complicated deal involving previous co-owners Genoa.

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Galliani fearful of finances over Kaka deal

AC Milan fear that financial difficulties could scupper a move for Kaka.
The Real Madrid midfielder has struggled for form and fitness following his big-money switch to Santiago Bernabeu in 2009.
Kaka has been told he is allowed to leave the La Liga champions, provided potential suitors meet the reported £40 million asking price.
The midfielder's agent has revealed that talks over a potential return had taken place.
However, club vice president Adriano Galliani believes that any transfer could be too expensive, with tax laws in Spain giving players lucrative contracts.
"It is very difficult," Galliani told Sky Italia. "The negotiations are all to be done. There are a thousand difficulties that could well make it impossible.
"As always, the problem is money. Milan cannot afford some wages, especially as in Spain they have a different fiscal structure.
"The law there has changed for future wages but the contracts that were already signed are still valid under the old tax code."

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Taiwo set for summer move from Milan

Taye Taiwo could be set for a return to France after being frozen out at AC Milan.
The Nigeria international arrived at San Siro from Marseille last year, but has made just eight first-team appearances in all competitions.
Taiwo spent the second half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers and had been linked with a permanent move to Loftus Road.
However, the 27-year-old could be set to return to Marseille, where he spent six years between 2005-11.
"I have a contract with Milan unless they want to let me go for free," he told Sky Sports. "I am relaxed.
"Knowing the qualities I have there will be many teams interested in me. I never had the chance to show what I am capable of doing for a great time but that is life."

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Pazzini and Cesar omitted from Inter squad

Inter Milan duo Julio Cesar and Giampaolo Pazzini have been omitted from the Serie A side's Europa League squad, making their exits from the 2010 European champions all but certain.

Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar knew his time was up when Inter signed Udinese's Samir Handanovic, while striker Pazzini has long been linked in the media with a move away.

As well as releasing the Europa League squad on Friday, Inter unveiled new midfield signing Gabi Mudingayi from Bologna.

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Fiorentina pounce for playmaker Fernandez

Fiorentina have signed Chile international Matias Fernandez from Sporting, the Lisbon club said in a statement on Friday.

Fernandez, a technically-gifted midfielder who is also a free-kick specialist, was a regular starter at Sporting since signing from Villarreal in 2009.

Sporting, struggling financially, did not disclose the fee that Fiorentina paid for the 26-year-old's transfer. 

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Inzaghi retires to coach Milan youth

Filippo Inzaghi announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, and said he would be joining the AC Milan youth coaching staff.

"My time with Milan finished in the best possible way, with a goal in the final game, so it was all perfect," Inzaghi, 38, told Italian media.

"Now I begin another dream, which is to be a coach and hopefully win the Champions League."

Inzaghi, who scored 156 Serie A goals in 370 games, added: "I couldn't go to play elsewhere, as I could not just leave Milan. Today I received a proposal from England, but I can't leave Milan.

"I signed a two-year contract and will coach the youth team, then I hope one day to lead the senior squad too."

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Milan fans react angrily to big name sales

Thiago Silva's comments about not wanting to leave AC Milan have further angered fans who have demanded to know if owner Silvio Berlusconi plans to reinvest after some high profile sales.

The departures of stylish Brazil defender Thiago Silva and leading striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain have shocked Milan supporters, whose side narrowly lost their Serie A title to rivals Juventus in May.

Rather than strengthen for the new season in August, the seven-times European champions have arguably let their two best players go while media reports say forward Robinho and Antonio Cassano could also depart.

"The club sell their best players and have no project for the future," read one poster on a Milan fan message board while other comments were more vitriolic towards former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi.

"Berlusconi doesn't respect us, he should leave the club."

Milan, who have been trying to cut costs for several years and released several older players in May, have pointed out that they have signed a number of midfielders such as Fiorentina's Italy international Riccardo Montolivo during the close season.

That has not placated angry fans, who knew the truth about the sales even before Thiago Silva's comments in a news conference for the Brazil Olympic team in London on Thursday.

"My transfer to Paris was 100 percent not my decision," he said.

"I want to make clear that it was not my fault and I say sorry to Milan fans. My family and I did not want to leave Milan."

A replacement for Sweden's Ibrahimovic, Milan's top scorer in the last two seasons, looks a priority for the Rossoneri.

However, reports linking them with the likes of Manchester City's Edin Dzeko, Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov and Liverpool's Andy Carroll have not gone down well with fans who feel they are not in the same class as Ibrahimovic.

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Galliani: Serie A is no longer attractive option

AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani has admitted that Serie A no longer has the star appeal it possessed in the past.
The Rossoneri recently sold prized assets Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain in order to address their financial worries.
Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has claimed that the game's top players will no longer want to ply their trade in Italy.
The Swede's representative believes it is time Italian sides change their mentality, an opinion Galliani supports.
"I agree with Mino Raiola, who says that top players are no longer coming to Italy," he said.
"The top players no longer come, but we can form a team. We see they are not arriving, but we will see what we can do."

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Leandro agent confirms meet with Milan

The agent of Leandro Damiao has met with AC Milan regarding a potential move to San Siro for the Internacional striker.
The Brazil star has been linked with a big-money move to Europe, after netting 70 goals in just 115 appearances.
Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan have also reportedly expressed an interest in the 22-year-old, who is expected to compete for the national side during this summer’s Olympic games.
Milan are keen to secure a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who completed his switch to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
And Leandro's agent, Vinicius Prates, has revealed he met with members of the Rossoneri board.
He told Terra: "I met Milan board members just to know them.
"It was the first contact. Let's see if it develops within the next few days."

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Roma recruit USA midfielder Bradley

AS Roma have signed American midfielder Michael Bradley, the Serie A side said in a statement on Sunday.

Reports in Italy suggest the U.S. international has signed for a fee of 3.75 million euros from Chievo.

Bradley has penned a contract that will keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until June 2016.

He has joined up with new Roma manager Zdenek Zeman and his side at their Brunico pre-season training camp.

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Conte appears before match-fixing investigation

Juventus manager Antonio Conte appeared before Italian football federation prosecutors on Friday to answer questions about match-fixing that took place while he was in charge of Siena.

Conte spent three hours 40 minutes answering questions about allegations of sporting fraud during his time at the then-Serie B club Siena in 2011, brought by former player Filippo Carobbio.

Carobbio claimed that he knew that one game at least between Siena and Novara in April last year was rigged.

"There isn't much to say, finally the day arrived where I could tell the truth in a calm environment," Conte told reporters after leaving court.

"I restate my contentment at being able to tell my side of the story, this evening I'm returning to Valle D'Aosta [the base of Juventus' pre-season training camp] to do what I do best, win and be a coach."

Siena have already been fined 50,000 euros in the latest Italian match-fixing scandal.

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AIK cancel Milan friendly over Ibra doubts

Swedish club AIK have cancelled plans for an August friendly against AC Milan in Stockholm because the Italians cannot guarantee that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will still be playing for them, AIK said in a statement.

The Sweden captain is rumoured to be on his way to Paris Saint Germain after Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi told reporters on Thursday that he had sold Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to the French club.

The two players are said to be negotiating personal terms.

AIK said they had planned the friendly at the Rasunda stadium on August 12.

"Unfortunately, a number of external circumstances meant that we took a joint decision not to stage the match this time," said AIK managing director Thomas Edselius.

"If we cannot guarantee Zlatan's participation there is a risk that many would be disappointed," added Mimi Nordling-Petterson, spokesperson for event managers Tailor Events who were to organise the game. 

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Milan agree to sell Ibra and Silva to PSG

AC Milan have agreed to sell striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain, Italian media quoted club owner Silvio Berlusconi as saying on Thursday.

"Yes, I have sold Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG. We'll save 150 million euros in two years," he was quoted as saying, according to the website of Gazzetta dello Sport.

It said the final details of the sale had not been agreed but the two players would be sold for around 65 million euros.

Milan, who lost their Serie A title to Juventus in May, have already sold several older players including Gennaro Gattuso, Filippo Inzaghi, Gianluca Zambrotta and Mark van Bommel.

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Sneijder agent rejects Anzhi transfer talk

The agent of Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has dismissed rumours linking his client with a move to Anzhi Makhachkala.
Reports emanating from Russia had suggested that the big-spending Eastern European giants were close to agreeing a move for the Dutchman.
However Sneijder’s agent, Soren Lerby, has insisted that there is no truth in the reports.
"There is no truth in those reports, they are just rumours," Lerby told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"There is nothing between Anzhi and Wesley."
The two teams have a history in the transfer market after Inter sold Samuel Eto’o to Anzhi for £18.4 million.

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De Laurentiis: Messi to Napoli is the dream

Napoli president Auerlio De Laurentiis has revealed it is his dream to see Lionel Messi play for the Serie A side.
The charismatic supremo is keen to see the Naples side strengthen their front-line this summer following the departure of Ezequiel Lavezzi to Paris Saint-Germain.
De Laurentiis has not always spoken fondly of the Barcelona forward, branding him a ‘cretin’ following Argentina’s disappointing 2011 Copa America campaign.
However, the 63-year-old appears to have changed his mind, admitting he would love to see the 25-year-old turn out at Stadio San Paolo.
"My dream is [Lionel] Messi," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He doesn't even have a tattoo. He's a footballing dream, and is very cinematic."
De Laurentiis confirmed he is looking for Napoli to secure a third successive top-five finish in the upcoming Serie A campaign.
"I said this last year and will repeat it: we must finish in the top five in the league," he continued.
"The problem is that the quality of our football was so high that it was hard to win against a less noble team.
"I don't have a particular goal, we will try to do our best on every front."

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Italian Super Cup to be staged in Beijing

The Italian Super Cup between league champions Juventus and Italian Cup winners Napoli will be played at the Beijing National Stadium on August 11, a Serie A statement said on Monday.

It will be the third time the Super Cup has been played at the Bird's Nest since 2009 and the fifth time on foreign soil, after taking place in the United States in 1993 and 2003.

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Forlan to leave Inter for Internacional

Uruguay's Diego Forlan will join Brazilian club Internacional on Saturday, a day after Inter Milan terminated the striker's contract.

"Diego Forlan will arrive in Porto Alegre on Saturday," his new club said in a statement on Friday. "The player will be unveiled tomorrow."

Former Manchester United player Forlan joined Inter from Atletico Madrid a year ago and scored only two goals in 22 appearances for the Italian club.

The Serie A team, who finished sixth last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League, are set to sign Palermo defender Matias Silvestre on loan and Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic on a permanent deal.

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