Genoa have been found guilty of match-fixing and have been demoted to Serie C1 instead of promotion to Serie A. They are the third club who won't be admitted to Serie A along with Messina and Torino for apparent financial problems. Unless of course all three can successfully appeal.

If they do appeal, it could lead to chaos. It's likely the three relegated sides- Atalanta, Brescia and Bologna- will be reinstated into Serie A and any successful appeal could create a ridiculous 23-team comp. Guess chaos has come to rule in Italian football

How did they influence the match results? Did a player grab his ankle and roll around on the floor crying?

The latest developments: http://www.channel4.com/sport/footb...alia/aug2k.html

Messina's appeal has been successful but Torino have had theirs rejected. Fans of both clubs took to the streets in outrage against the earlier decision to exclude them but I'm sure it won't be the last we hear of this.

It's likely that at least two relegated sides, or one of the sides that missed out on promotion, will be given Serie A places in place of Genoa and Torino. However, were this to happen AND the appeals of the two clubs would be successful, it would lead to a 22-team Serie A next season. Perugia and Salernitana have been excluded from Serie B on financial grounds as well.

Sounds shocking enough when you consider many fans would've been looking forward to seeing traditional clubs like Torino and Genoa back in the big time. And Messina at least will now have the chance to continue the hard work of recent years in rising from obscurity to Serie A.

For all the drama, it is so good to see a healthy P&R in action. Better tan the same old same old and giving hope to thousands more fans.

"GENOA GENOA VAFFANCULO!"

As my scarf says "Sono bello, sono sano, mia mama mi ha fatto doriano"

Still the Samp-Genoa derby I went to in 1994 would have to rate as probably the best sporting event I have ever experience. A whole stadium (including the grandstands) bouncing up and down, about 5-600 giant flags at both ends, loudhailers, flares, people lobbing crackers at the goalkeeper, supporters crying when a player got taken off on a stretcher. And some of the most magical football you ever could imagine seeing. With Samp winning 3-2 thanks to an incredible goal by Masporo.

I did not sleep that night. As much as the www.ultratito.it will be revelling, it is them who will be the 2nd biggest losers out of all of this.

In any case, FORZA SAMPDORIA!

JF

the italian football reporter on bbc radio 5live noted something going on towards the end of the season and with a month to go he predicted the score of some of the matches.....even predicting which teams would be winning at half time only to lose by full time....99% of the time he was right

And Genoa have had their appeal rejected, while Roma had their transfer ban lifted.

How come Roma got a transfer ban slapped on them?

The latest on the case: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... ug10i.html

Will they actually sort this out BEFORE the season is due to start??

And an update:

- Ascoli and Treviso win promotion to Serie A, through the back door, after losing the play-offs.

- the three relegated sides from Serie B- Vicenza, Pescara and Catanzaro- had their relegations cancelled. The same doesn't apply to the sides who were relegated from A (Bologna, Brescia and Atalanta) though.

This is bloody weird. Someone really needs to put the broom through Italian football...

May I recommend Arsenal?

In this case...anyone!

I reckon UEFA booting them out of Euro comps until they sort themselves out. A tad harsh, yes, but it needs to be done.