Over the past few years, the revolting issues of match-fixing in Italian football has caused fans to question the integrity of the game. However, when a World Cup winner is involved, it is time to sit up and question this dark plague affecting football in the 21st century.
It emerged today that the former Milan, Rangers and Italy national, Gennaro Gattuso, has been placed under investigation for match-fixing activities. After his home was searched earlier today, the 35-year-old now reportedly face charges of criminal conspiracy and sports fraud.
Gattuso and retired Lazio player Cristian Brocchi were allegedly part of a ring that fixed Serie A and other Italian matches at the end of the 2010-11 season. Four more arrests were also made.
“Gattuso and Brocchi were connected to the case by the use of phone taps,” said Cremona prosecutor Di Martino.
Earlier this month, Gattuso – who is a controversial figure in football – also lashed out at one of the club’s directors, Barbara Berlusconi, for disrespecting the club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani, who had been locked in a power struggle with her father, the owner Silvio Berlusconi.
“I think that someone like him, for everything he has done and how he has managed the club for all these years now, deserves respect. And then, women (referring to Barbara), I’m sorry to say, I don’t see them as a part of the world of football,” he told a radio show.
Oh dear Gattuso, perhaps you should look at Milan’s own physiotherapists, nurses, club staff who have helped the team. And per favore, open your eyes to see the other players and thousands of female members in the football world!
