The Italian soccer betting scandal took another turn on Tuesday as Palermo forward Di Michele, Atalanta’s Thomas Manfredini, Vicenza’s Massimo Margiotta and Mantova’s Vincenzo Sommesse were all summoned by the Italian Soccer Federation for questioning by Italian prosecutors over an alleged betting ring. They are accused of making bets, either directly or indirectly, through an illegal bookmaker and are amongst 21 players linked by investigators to bets totaling more than US$14 million in the past decade.
Officials with soccer clubs Udinese, Vicenza and Mantova will also be questioned as a part of the investigation. Meanwhile, Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta was one of 15 players and officials cleared of involvement in the betting ring.
Betting was not illegal for players and officials until late 2005, but they are accused of not using a legal avenue with which to make bets. If found guilty, the players could be banned for up to a year.
