The AS Roma and Italy midfielder De Rossi mentioned by Marco Paoloni, the former Cremonese goalkeeper on the phone, inquiry focuses on Genoa-AS Roma game (4-3) but De Rossi is currently not under investigation.
“Bet on over. I’ve just had a word with De Rossi”. The voice on the phone belongs to Marco Paoloni, the former Cremonese goalkeeper arrested in the latest match-fixing scandal. In betting slang, “over” means putting your money on the number of goals scored and De Rossi is the AS Roma and Italy midfielder. The match referred to is last season’s clash between Genoa and AS Roma, resulting 4-3 for the home side and cost AS Roma manager Claudio Ranieri his seat. Public prosecutor Francesco Di Martino pointed out: “But De Rossi is absolutely not under investigation”. At the moment, the intercepted phone call is regarded as bragging by Paoloni (De Rossi was not even playing). However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that some Serie A games will be under investigation.
“It is obvious that we are dealing with an operation that has been going on for years. This can be deduced from the relaxed way the group moves to influence match results each week”. The comments by Cremona-based investigating magistrate Guido Salvini in the order that led two days ago to the arrest of 16 people reflect precisely such a situation.
Brescia-Bologna Fixed Game ?
The first test will come in court at Cremona when the guarantee interviews commence. A glance at the evidence amassed by Cremona police and public prosecutor Di Martino is enough to realise that suspicions extend to top-flight football. One of the matches in the case file is the Brescia-Bologna Serie A game on 2 April this year, which ended in a easy 3-1 victory for the home side. Even before the magistrates took an interest, the match had raised eyebrows in the betting world. In the 72 hours prior to the kick-off on Eurobet, one of the most popular internet betting circuits, the game attracted more than twice as much stake money as the Milan derby being played on the same day. Almost without exception, bets were for a Brescia win. The flood of cash was so unusual that Eurobet suspended all betting. Also suspended were bets on the Sampdoria-Chievo match, where punters appeared confident of the draw which duly ensued.
Significantly, the Brescia-Bologna Serie A game is mentioned in some of the tapped phone calls in the case file. In a conversation on 25 March, a week before the two sides met, one of those under investigation reeled off a list of results to bet on, including the win for Brescia. Three days later again by phone, a confident forecast of a “straight win” for Brescia was made. Neither of the clubs and none of their players are under investigation but it is clear that this match, along with many others, is set to go under the magistrate’s microscope. Serie A also crops up in a conversation between former players Mauro Bressan and Antonio Bellavista (both have been arrested). As the order notes, there is a reference to “an important figure with whom they had already worked for rigged Serie A matches”.
Italy betting scandal is being under investigation, and FIFA is expected to announce a statement regarding the issue.
