The odds on newly promoted Atalanta staying in Serie A just got a lot longer after they were hit with a six point penalty deduction for their role in a betting scandal.
Last week the federal prosecutor Stefano Palazzi advised the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over the punishment which should be handed out based on the alleged involvement of those implicated in the scandal.
And the FIGC has now returned their verdicts, with Atalanta deducted six points and captain Cristiano Doni banned from football for three-and-a-half years. Doni’s team-mate Thomas Manfredini has also been banned for three years.
The sanctions all relate to a criminal case brought forward by prosecutors at the tribunal of Cremona who uncovered an illegal betting ring involving a number of footballers and officials back in June known as ‘Last Bet’.
Atalanta, Doni, Manfredini and Signori have always denied any wrongdoing despite the sentences handed out by the FIGC.