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Napoli lose points in Serie A and the captain Paolo Cannavaro after being found guilty of match-fixing
Napoli have been penalised two points in the Serie A standings for match fixing after their former goalkeeper confesses to arranging the result of a game three seasons ago.
The sentence by the Italian football federation's disciplinary committee dropped the southern club from a tie for third place into fifth position, 10 points behind league leader Juventus.
The penalty put a severe dent in Napoli's aim of winning the Serie A for the first time since Diego Maradona led the team to titles in 1987 and 1990.
Also, current Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro and defender Gianluca Grava were each banned for six months for failing to report the fix.
Cannavaro is the younger brother of former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.
Napoli was also fined 70,000 euros ($A88,000).
Both players, along with Napoli, deny any wrongdoing.
The keeper, Matteo Gianello, confessed to prosecutors that he attempted to fix the match between Sampdoria and Napoli on May 16, 2010.
Sampdoria won 1-0 with a goal from current AC Milan player Giampaolo Pazzini in the 51st minute. It was the final round of the season and the victory secured Sampdoria fourth place and a spot in Champions League qualifying.
Gianello was banned for three years and three months.
Appeals are expected.
Also, third-division Portogruaro were penalised two points for fixing a May 2011 match with Crotone, while Crotone were cleared of wrongdoing.
Napoli become the fifth Serie A club docked points this season for fixing - although the first to be penalised in midseason. Siena were already docked six points, Atalanta two, and Sampdoria and Torino one each.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte returned this month from his four-month ban for failing to report fixing when he managed Siena two seasons ago.
Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/napoli-docked-two-points-and-lose-captain-paolo-cannavaro-after-being-found-guilty-of-match-fixing/story-e6frf423-1226540104652#.UNLD1OwT69t
