Three of the major players in the Calciopoli scandal have spoken out against the punishments imposed upon them.
Luciano Moggi (pictured), the man at the centre of the scandal, has maintained that despite Juventus’ guilt, no matches were fixed.
“All the results were earned on the pitch,” claimed the outfit’s former director general. “I’m disappointed by the verdict, not for my sake but for the fans who have been cheated by it.”
Lazio President Claudio Lotito – banned from football for three years – claimed that he was surprised by the decision to banish the Biancocelesti to Serie B, but was adamant that he would do everything in his power to reverse the verdict.
“We weren’t expecting this kind of sentence as we never thought we were violating any moral code,” explained the much-maligned chief.
“We will do everything we can to defend our club, we will go to every court even the European Courts of Justice.”
Fiorentina honorary President Diego Della Valle admitted that he was stunned by the harsh sentence imposed on the Viola that sent the Gigliati into the Second Division with a 12-point penalty.
“I don’t even want to think about what happens if the appeal fails,” said the shoe baron who has also been suspended for four years.
“We’re preparing the appeal so that we have facts rather than words to defend us.”
Relegation to the lower Leagues would be a heartbreaking déjà vu for the Viola fans who saw their side collapse five years ago due to financial problems and reform in Serie C.
Channel4