Sporting fraud charges to Genoa and Venezia

By European Football
July 17 2005

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi, his son Matteo and general manager Stefano Capozucca have all been indicted for "collaborating to achieve sporting fraud," read an Italian Football Federation statement this morning.

While Venezia's chairman Franco Dal Cin, director general Michele Dal Cin and general manager Giuseppe Pagliara have all been accused of the same crime along with players Massimo Borgobello and Martin Lejsal.

The case revolves around the final two games of the season where Genoa drew 2-2 at Piacenza and then beat Venezia 3-2 at home to return to Serie A after a 10-year absence.

And both Genoa and Venezia will be charged with "direct responsibility" in the case. The Italian press are stating that the investigations are based on transcripts of telephone conversations between players and officials, which have been aquired by the police, who are also looking into a financial transaction involving a Venezia official.