ITALY is bracing itself against yet another major bribes scandal after
the president of Perugia admitted that 80% of their games last season
had been fixed.
Horse-breeder Luciano Gaucci added fuel to the flames by alleging that
he had given a racehorse to Antonio Matarrese, head of the Italian FA,
in return for a favour.
A full-scale investigation has been launched, but Perugia, who won
promotion to Serie B, are almost certain to be demoted two leagues
following the revelations.
The impending sanctions led to rioting in the streets of Perugia last
week, when #4m damage was caused, 23 people were injured and 15 others
arrested.
Gaucci said he had also presented a racehorse to referee Signore
Acquaviva, who officiated at their game with Siracusa on April 25, which
ended 1-1.
He maintained: ''Giving presents to referees is normal throughout
football in Italy. No-one made a fuss when I gave the animal to
Matarrese two years ago. I am simply being made a scapegoat for telling
the truth.''
Following on the bankruptcies at AS Roma and Bologna, the task of
repairing the image of Italian football is proving much harder than was
first imagined.
* RUUD Gullit yesterday pulled out of a proposed move to Bayern
Munich, citing the rising tide of neo-Nazism as his reason.
The decision of the former Dutch captain, who had even gone as far as
to choose a house, came as a surprise to the Munich club, who may now
re-enter the chase for Dundee United striker Duncan Ferguson.
Bayern's general manager, Uli Hoeness, said the changing political
climate had been discussed with Gullit prior to his agreement to sign
from AC Milan in a deal worth approximately #2m.
Gullit, who had passed a medical and agreed terms, revealed that
racist insults had been directed at him on his visits to Munich and
therefore come to the conclusion that it would be in his best interests
to call off the deal.
He said yesterday: ''I am back in the market for offers. I still have
options to go to Japan and America, but it is too early in my career for
that.
''I can still make a contribution at the highest level in Europe,
which is where I wish to play.''
His countryman, Frank Rijkaard, also on the move from Milan, will
decide his future when he returns from holiday later this month.
He has made it clear, though, that he will operate in central defence
and not midfield to prolong his playing days.
His successor in the Dutch national side is widely expected to be
Clarence Seedorf, yet another superb talent emerging at Ajax.
Dutch youth coach Bert van Lingen, assessing the midfielder who turned
17 just two months ago, said: ''I have never seen such qualities since
Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, and in my opinion he could prove even
better than these two.
''For such a young player he is incredibly strong, but he has the
skill to match. He is an exceptional player for whom I hold the highest
hopes.''
Seedorf is the oldest of four brothers playing with the various Ajax
youth teams, which comprise the most productive system of development in
world football.
Perhaps his potential can be guaged from the fact that he is the
youngest player ever to perform in Europe for Ajax, ahead of such giants
as Johan Cruyff and van Basten.
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