Juventus - yet more evidence of corruption

[matty]

Evidence has emerged from taped telephone conversations between Luciano Moggi, Chief Executive of Juventus, and the official of the Federcalcio who designates referees to games. This from the Corriere:

 

http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2...o/04/toti.shtml

 

ROME - Regular calls, close relationships, requests of different types. They often speak about referees in the calls intercepted by the investigators of Turin - above all those between Moggi, Director General of Juventus, and Pierluigi Pairetto, referees designator until last season, together with Paolo Bergamo. And also some calls between Antonio Giraudo, assistant director of Juve, and Moggi himself. But they say plenty, and in certain ways, about the President of the Federcalcio Franco Carraro, against whom his vice Presidents Innocenzo Mazzini uses some unrepeatable expressions (that unleashed the justifiable anger of Carraro). And also some discussions about the transfer market between Moggi and Allessandro Moggi [his son], boss of Gea [players agency], which is being investigated by the magistrates in Rome.

 

It should be remembered that nothing that reveals penal transgressions emerges from this large dossier: in the last few months the Torinese investigator had shelved the inquest that brought Moggi and Pairetto into the inquiry. In the same way, it explains that when Moggi solicits Pairetto to send Cassara' to Messina, Rocchi to Livorno, and Pieri to referee the Berlusconi trophy it refers to friendly matches of Juventus (all played in August 2004) and not competitive games. However, the type of requests and the readiness with which they are heard leave questions: why that 'pressure' even for games in preparation for the championship? What are the true motives that pushed Moggi to ask for certain referees rather than others even in August, one month from the start of the season?

 

All this has opened a line of inquiry by the Federcalcio's investigating office to try to identify who is at fault and who has responsibility. They have underlined that from the tapes, facts don't emerge that could demonstrate a breaking of sporting rules. But on this front surprises could arrive in the next few weeks from the Rome magistrates: Palamera and Palaia have begun to leaf through all the chapters that regard both Moggi Sr and Jnr, and Gea. The two Rome magistrates have been investigating the company for months, and for now Alessandro Moggi is the only one under investigation. If the papers sent by the Turin magistrate Guariniello should entwine and reinforce what is already gathered by the Rome magistrates, the hypothesis of sporting fraud could again be under consideration.

 

 

ROMA ? Telefonate continue, rapporti strettissimi, richieste di vario genere. Si parla molto di arbitri, nelle intercettazioni telefoniche della procura di Torino soprattutto tra Luciano Moggi, direttore generale della Juventus, e Pierluigi Pairetto, designatore arbitrale sino al campionato scorso assieme a Paolo Bergamo. E un po? anche tra Antonio Giraudo, a.d. bianconero, e lo stesso Moggi. Ma si parla abbastanza, e in che termini..., anche del presidente della Federcalcio Franco Carraro, verso il quale uno dei suoi vice Innocenzo Mazzini usa a volte espressioni irriferibili (e che hanno scatenato la giustificata ira di Carraro). E poi di mercato tra Moggi senior e Moggi junior, Alessandro, gran capo della Geae indagato dalla procura di Roma.

Va ricordato che nulla di penalmente rilevante viene fuori da questi voluminosi dossier: nei mesi scorsi la stessa procura torinese ha archiviato l?inchiesta che aveva portato all?iscrizione di Moggi e Pairetto nel registro degli indagati. Allo stesso modo, va spiegato che quando Moggi sollecita Pairetto a mandare Cassarà a Messina, Rocchi a Livorno e Pieri al Trofeo Berlusconi, fa riferimento a partite amichevoli della Juventus (tutte giocate ad agosto 2004) e non gare ufficiali. Tuttavia, il tipo di richiesta e la prontezza con cui viene accolta lasciano sgomenti: perché quelle «pressioni» anche per impegni di preparazione al campionato? Quali sono i veri motivi che spingono Moggi a chiedere certi arbitri piuttosto che altri anche ad agosto, a un mese dall?inizio del campionato?

Su tutto questo ha aperto un filone d?inchiesta l?Ufficio indagini della Federcalcio per cercare di individuare colpe ed eventuali responsabili. Via Allegri ha tenuto a sottolineare, l?altro giorno, che dai fascicoli non emergononemmeno fatti per i quali ipotizzare un illecito sportivo. Ma su questo fronte potrebbero arrivare sorprese nelle prossime settimane dalla procura di Roma: i pm Luca Palamara e Maria Cristina Palaia hanno cominciato a sfogliare tutto il capitolo che riguarda Moggi padre e figlio e la Gea. I due magistrati romani stanno indagando da mesi sulla società che fa capo ad Alessandro Moggi, per ora l?unico sotto inchiesta. Se le carte inviate dal pmdi Torino Raffaele Guariniello dovessero «intrecciarsi» e rinforzare quanto già acquisito da Palamara e Palaia, l?ipotesi della frode sportiva potrebbe essere presa di nuovo in considerazione.

Edited May 4, 2006 by matty

[fyds]

Do you think anything will actually happen as a result, Matty?

[matty]

Do you think anything will actually happen as a result, Matty?

 

of course not. This is Italy!

[fyds]

of course not. This is Italy!

Unfortunately, I guessed this would have to be your answer!

[Guest Anders Honoré]

It should be remembered that nothing that reveals penal transgressions emerges from this large dossier: in the last few months the Torinese investigator had shelved the inquest that brought Moggi and Pairetto into the inquiry.

 

So no evidence at all then.

[Guest Cardie]

It'll go the way of the Juventus drug taking allegations.

[matty]

So no evidence at all then.

 

er, yes. There are taped telephone conversations about the designation of refs. Feck me, you're quite abject when you get going.

[Stevie H]

er, yes. There are taped telephone conversations about the designation of refs. Feck me, you're quite abject when you get going.

 

haha!

[Guest Anders Honoré]

er, yes. There are taped telephone conversations about the designation of refs. Feck me, you're quite abject when you get going.

 

"They have underlined that from the tapes, facts don't emerge that could demonstrate a breaking of sporting rules"

 

In short, no evidence at all then.

Edited May 5, 2006 by Anders Honoré

[matty]

The tapes demonstrate that Moggi discussed the designation of refs with the designator, both before and after games. The transcripts are actually more damaging. And the article makes clear that the authorities are investigating Allessandro Moggi with the prospect of further inquiries to come out of the tapes.

 

So plenty of evidence.

[Scally the Wag]

How can the transcripts be more damaging? More damaging than what, the tapes? The transcripts are supposed to be based on the tapes, verbatim.

 

Just trying to get a point cleared up.

[floyd]

The fact that we were cheated out of the European Cup Final in 1965 by a corrupt referee who'd been bribed by Inter Milan, shows these Italians have been corrupt for donkey's years. If we had got to the final, we might of beaten Benfica and not been subjected to those fvckin Mancs going on about their win against Benfica.

[matty]

Since posting the original story, it has moved on apace. Many Transcripts have emerged, and Luciano Moggi is now under investigation for threatening violence in order to get his way....

http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2.../09/moggi.shtml

 

 

ROME - It controls the players, their relationships with the teams, and those with the sponsors. But Gea World would also manage the relationships with the referees, obtaining "actions on the pitch". To manage the relations with the refs was allegedly Luciano Moggi, his name written yesterday in the register of those investigated by the Procura of Rome for "illicit business with violence and threats". The investigation regards the interventions and pressure by the Director General of Juventus "to facilitate the activities of his son Allessandro", one of the founding shareolders of Gea.

 

The about-turn in the investigation has arrived after reading the transcripts of interceptions of calls by the Turin magistrates and the latest report by the Financial Police at the end of the examination of documents sequestered last March from the offices of Gea. In the dossier there is mention of four referees, which are in the course of being identified. They are Gabriele, Farina, Palanca, and De Santis, who has been designated to the World Cup. ("I've earned it, and I won't give it up", said De Santis). With him it was decided yesterday also Roberto Rosetti will go to Germany. The information reveals the webs that govern the championship and the 'pressures' exerted on footballers to get exclusive management deals by Gea. One of the papers sequestered from Allessandro Moggi's offices is held to accuse Luciano.

 

9th March. The financial police enter the offices of Gea to take documents and contracts. Among the papers of the Administrator Franco Zavaglia they find a manuscript. The contents appear unequivical. "It is best to say to our agents to not go to mention the name of L. Moggi and in this way to pressure players, but to illustrate what our organisation means without threatening anyone as already has happened in the past. If then some agent needs to take an important player, we can intervene together with the agents." They speak then of threats. And not by chance have the investogators then taken away the papers of those players that have abandoned their own agents to go under the control of Gea.

 

The first to speak of relations between Gea and the referees, in May 2004 was the ex President of Ancona Pieroni, who then ended up in prison for the bankruptcy of the club, who denounced 'favouritism' and bargaining. "During the season 03/04 - adds Pieroni - Messina has been favoured with 19 penalties, as they are notoriously linked with Juventus to Moggi father and son because there are several players and directors linked contractually to Gea and in part-ownership with Juventus." The Financial police made checks, and obtains some confirmation as far as to speak of four referees "linked among themselves to Gea and to Moggi"

 

In the financial records of Gea, have been discovered that betwen 1999 and 2001 Juventus would have directed over 1.3million euro. But also that numerous footballers would have been persuaded to abbandone their own agent to pass to Gea "to be able to play for important teams." It is one of the threats from which Moggi will have to defend himself.

[Extraordinary Swindle]

How Football Explains the World - Franklin Foer

The book has a chapter about Milan's manipulation of the media. Juve's referee selections and match fixings are also referenced so it can hardly be new news in Italy now.

 

Check out antijuve.com

[matty]

How Football Explains the World - Franklin Foer

The book has a chapter about Milan's manipulation of the media. Juve's referee selections and match fixings are also referenced so it can hardly be new news in Italy now.

 

Check out antijuve.com

 

It's been suspected for years of course, they've just lacked the prima facie evidence and the will to investigate it. Word is that the Board of Juventus might remove Moggi and Giraudo tomorrow, in an attempt to draw the sting. There are apparently a year's worth of taped Moggi phone calls to come....

 

However, the removal of about 8 championships from Juventus will be the only thing that can finally clear this up. Plus Juve's immediate relegation to Serie D.

[matty]

Moggi reportedly on the verge of resignation.

[Gilps]

Moggi reportedly on the verge of resignation.

 

Moggi! Moggi! Moggi!

 

Out! Out! Out!

[filopastry]

I saw some of the transcripts in today's Independent

 

THE CAST

 

Luciano Moggi Director General of Juventus

 

Pierluigi Pairetto Head of Italian Referees' Association and member of Uefa Referees' Commission

 

THE TIME

 

September, 2004

 

THE CONVERSATIONS

 

Pierluigi Pairetto: I know that you've forgotten about me but I haven't forgotten about you.

 

Luciano Moggi: Go on...

 

PP: I've put a great referee for the game in Amsterdam.

 

LM: Who?

 

PP: Meier.

 

LM: Great!

 

PP: Anyway, it was just to tell you this. You see, I remember about you even if you...

 

(Ajax played Juventus on 15 September, the referee was Urs Meier, from Switz-erland. Juventus won 1-0)

 

(Juventus drew 2-2 at home to Swedish club Djurgarden in a Champions' League qualifier in August 2004. German Referee Herbert Fandel disallowed a goal by Juve's Miccoli.)

 

LM: But what the f... kind of referee did you send us?

 

PP: Fandel is one of the best...

 

LM: Miccoli's goal was valid.

 

PP: No it wasn't.

 

LM: It was valid, it was valid.

 

PP: He was in front...

 

LM: What are you talking about in front? And anyway, all through the game he messed things up for us.

 

PP: But he's one of the top...

 

LM: He can go and f... himself. And for Stockholm [the return leg] I'm counting on you.

 

(Juve won the return leg 4-1, with England's Graham Poll refereeing. Two days before the game, Moggi called the secretary of the Italian football league.)

 

LM: The ref is Cardozo, right?

 

Sec: I've got Graham Poll written here.

 

LM: Uhm. Where's he from?

 

Sec: He's English.

 

(A few minutes later, Moggi calls Pairetto.)

 

LM: So it's Cardozo, eh?

 

PP: Eh?

 

LM: It's Paul Green [Moggi means Graham Poll]

 

PP: What?

 

LM: Paul Green

 

PP: Well something has happened at the last minute, he was sick or something.

 

LM: Find out.

 

PP: Yes, yes. I'll look into it right away.

 

(Before a series of pre-season friendly games.)

 

LM: For Messina, send me Consolo and Battaglia.

 

PP: I've already done the refs.

 

LM: And who are you sending us?

 

PP: Consolo and Battaglia, I think.

 

LM: And for the Berlusconi trophy, I want Pieri, all right?

 

PP: I haven't done that yet.

 

LM: OK, we'll do that later.

 

(A conversation takes place between Pairetto and Paolo Dondarini, the referee he had selected to officiate a Serie A match between Juventus and Sampdoria.)

 

PP: You know what you have to do. Make sure you see everything. Even that which isn't there.

 

(Back in 2004, Juventus had been tracking Ajax's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a possible transfer target. Moggi rang Antonio Giraudo, chief executive at Juventus, to tell him that Ibrahimovic had scored a hat-trick for Ajax.)

 

LM: What the hell! But I specifically told him to play badly.

 

Antonio Giraudo: I told him! We had agreed that he would play badly, go see the manager after the game, tell him that he would never play for them again and demand that he be sold to us.