Juventus: a hollow victory

By European Football
May 15 2006

Juventus may very well have won Lo Scudetto for the 29th time yesterday, but the bitter sweet taste of corruption and scandal will not allow them to celebrate their victory. General manager Luciano Moggi became the latest of the Juve hierarchy to quit over allegations over match-fixing and illegal approaches to referees.

Saying as he stepped down:

"From today I will no longer be the Juventus general director.

"From tomorrow the football world will no longer be a part of my life. I only intend to defend myself from now on from all the nasty things that have been said about me.

"I don't want to answer any questions, I don't have the strength. I feel as if my soul has been killed."

Inter coach Roberto Mancini entered the argument in a big way, claiming that the championship is fixed:

"It is difficult to make an evaluation when you play in fixed championships, in fact it is impossible.

"I've read of a referee talking about a game from 2001 and now we are in 2006, so you can imagine what I think about all that has happened.

"It is a very serious matter. The most serious ever heard of in the history of world football."

It is a sad time in Italian football, I have never been what you could call a fan of Juventus and have often marvelled, as they got away with one scandal after another, but surely even the seemingly Teflon coated Juve board can not walk away from this unscathed?

Personally I am not so sure, although it seems unlikely at the moment, deals will be cut, evidence will go astray, the board will be awarded sainthoods, and Juventus will keep their corruption fuelled success.

It’s simply the Italian way.

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