Match fixing is once again making headlines in Italy and once again, the story does involve Juventus, although this time, it's one of their opponents who has landed themselves in trouble rather than the Bianconeri.
The Serie A champions ran out 2-0 winners over the Verona outfit, yesterday, but the game was drawn into controversy when Flying Donkeys defender Fabrizio Cacciatore made a handcuffed gesture with his hands, indicating the match was fixed, resulting in the Chievo player being sent off.
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Chievo were already a man down before Cacciatore's actions saw them reduced to nine and the 31-year-old has now apologised for his 'unprofessional' conduct, with a post on his official Instagram account.
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Cacciatore said in his statement, "I apologise publicly for the gesture I made, it was an enormous error.
"I apologise to my teammates, the Coach, the club, our fans and all lovers of football. It was certainly wrong, something that shouldn't be done, an example that a professional should not set.
"I'm sorry that I left my teammates in a difficult situation, as they were fighting hard from the first to the last minute...
"It was an impulsive letting out of steam and, as is only right, I paid a heavy price for it... SORRY."
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Juventus have of course been heavily involved in past match fixing scandals, with the 2006 Calciopoli scandal seeing the Bianconeri stripped of two Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B, which resulted in the likes of Lilian Thuram, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluca Zambrotta leaving the club.
Jose Mourinho once also made a similar gesture during his time as Inter Milan manager, which led to the Portuguese coach receiving a three-match touchline ban and a €40,000 fine.
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(H/T Football Italia)
Topics: Football News, Football, Serie A, Juventus, Italy