GENOA relegated ??!!

GENOA RELEGATED TO THIRD DIVISION

Serie A newcomers Genoa have been relegated to the Italian third division following an investigation into match-fixing.

The disciplinary commission of the Lega Calcio (Italian football league) made the decision on Wednesday after conducting an inquiry into a Serie B match involving Genoa and Venezia last season.

The match, which was played on the final day of the campaign, was won 3-2 by home side Genoa.

That win enabled Genoa to finish at the top of Serie B, two points clear of the three clubs who finished in joint second-place, Empoli, Perugia and Torino.

Genoa, who will now start next season in Serie C1 with a three-point deduction, can protest against the ruling to the football league's appeal commission.

The disciplinary commission have also handed out five-year bans from football to Genoa president Enrico Preziosi, Genoa general director Stefano Capozucca, Venezia managing director Franco Dal Cin, and Venezia general manager Giuseppe Pagliara.

There are also suspensions for Venezia players Martin Lejsal (six months) and Massimo Borgobello (five months).

Genoa lawyer Alfredo Biondi said: "We will appeal to every court, and I hope the judges listen to us.

"I was hoping but this case has started badly and finished worse," he said on www.gazzetta.it.

Following the football league's announcement, Preziosi stepped down from his position as Genoa president.

The club confirmed on their official website, www.genoacfc.it: "Genoa Cricket and Football club announce that president Enrico Preziosi has resigned as president of Genoa Cricket and Football club."








is it true ??