Suspended Italian player chains himself outside FIGC HQ, goes on hunger strike
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On Saturday, Ex-Siena defender Emanuele Pesoli chained himself to the gates outside the front of the FIGC building in Rome and started a hunger strike after his ban in a betting scandal.
Pesoli, now at Verona, was among a number of Italian footballers, coaches, clubs and team owners to be hit with bans by FIGC on Friday as verdicts were handed down on the country's latest betting and match-fixing scandal.
The 32-year-old was accused by two former team-mates, Filippo Carobbio and Carlo Gervasoni, of assisting in the fixing of Siena's game with Varese in May 2011.
However, Pesoli insists he turned down the plot that was proposed to him and is demanding a face-to-face confrontation with his accusers.
He said: "I want a confrontation in the courts on this injustice so I can defend myself properly.
"My only mistake was answering that damn phone call when they asked me to sell the game. But I said no! I am innocent and I will prove it.
"This is a strong protest, but they are ruining my life for something I didn't do. Before I am forced to give up football, I want to fight with all my strength.
"I will wait here for someone from the FIGC, hopefully president Giancarlo Abete."
Juventus coach Antonio Conte, also facing a police investigation, was banned for 10 months for not reporting match-fixing while managing Pesoli at Siena.
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| Emanuele Pesoli sits on a chair after chaining himself outside of the FIGC headquarters Photo: Reuters |
Pesoli, now at Verona, was among a number of Italian footballers, coaches, clubs and team owners to be hit with bans by FIGC on Friday as verdicts were handed down on the country's latest betting and match-fixing scandal.
The 32-year-old was accused by two former team-mates, Filippo Carobbio and Carlo Gervasoni, of assisting in the fixing of Siena's game with Varese in May 2011.
However, Pesoli insists he turned down the plot that was proposed to him and is demanding a face-to-face confrontation with his accusers.
He said: "I want a confrontation in the courts on this injustice so I can defend myself properly.
"My only mistake was answering that damn phone call when they asked me to sell the game. But I said no! I am innocent and I will prove it.
"This is a strong protest, but they are ruining my life for something I didn't do. Before I am forced to give up football, I want to fight with all my strength.
"I will wait here for someone from the FIGC, hopefully president Giancarlo Abete."
Juventus coach Antonio Conte, also facing a police investigation, was banned for 10 months for not reporting match-fixing while managing Pesoli at Siena.
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