Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio

[Messinterista]

This is the thread to discuss all things regarding Serie B champions of 2010-2011, Atalanta B.C.

[Messinterista]

Atalanta docked points, Doni banned

Atalanta have been hit with a six-point penalty and had their captain banned after the Italian Football Federation issued its verdict on the betting scandal.

Atalanta were one of numerous clubs who were investigated and they’ll start the Serie A campaign on minus six points.

Their captain Cristiano Doni has been given a three-and-a-half year ban which, given that he is 38, will effectively end his career.

Thomas Manfredini, who is also on the Bergamo club’s books, has been handed a three-year suspension.

A total of 16 individuals have been punished by the FIGC, including former Italian international Giuseppe Signori. He’s been banned from all footballing activities for five years.

As well as Atalanta, 16 other sides were punished in some form too – whether through relegation, point deductions or fines.

Among those, Ascoli have been given a six-point penalty, while Piacenza have been handed a four-point deficit.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/aug9n.html

[Messinterista]

Atalanta prepare appeal

Atalanta’s lawyers have hit back at the six-point penalty and bans for players in the betting scandal.

Today the FIGC ruled Atalanta will have to begin the new season from -6, while captain Cristiano Doni and defender Thomas Manfredini are both suspended for over three years.

“We will lodge an appeal and I think we’ll be able to reduce the penalty points,” said club lawyer Luigi Chiappero.

“Any eventual indirect responsibility of the club should be reduced to an absolute minimum.

“Atalanta will count on the validity of our arguments and hope to slice down the penalty.”

Goalkeeper Marco Paoloni, who was accused of giving his Cremonese teammates a sleeping draught to affect performance, is suspended for five years and potentially banned for life at the end of that.

“Paoloni hoped for the sanction to be reduced,” said his lawyer Luca Curatti.

“For a 27-year-old player, this ban represents the end of his career. The impression we got is that there was a lack of courage.

“The sporting justice system moved too quickly and summarily.”

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/aug9p.html

[ferri]

hefty penalty for atalanta. what have they actually done? I remember the accusations but what is the ruling based on?

shame too that doni's career is going to end like this

[taz]

Atalanta have bolstered their midfield for the coming campaign with a double loan capture.

Luca Cigarini has returned to the club on a season's loan from Napoli, while fellow midfielder Matteo Brighi has also joined from Roma.

Cigarini spent a season at Atalanta from 2008-9 before departing for Napoli, while Brighi has been at Roma since 2004.

The pair arrive as the newly-promoted club face the arduous task of staying up with a six-point deduction received after they were found guilty of being involved in match-fixing.

[forzaitalia]

Those two are good signings that give them a chance of staying up, though obviously it will still be very tough. Good luck to Brighi.