Match-fixing verdicts sought quickly in Italy

Published Jun. 3, 2011 11:24 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Italian football federation president is calling for sports justice to run its course quickly in the country's latest match-fixing scandal.

Giancarlo Abete wants verdicts before the schedules for next season are released in early August.

Sixteen people were arrested up and down Italy on Wednesday for alleged involvement in a match-fixing and betting ring. Some 18 matches - mostly in Serie B and C - are under investigation by prosecutors in Cremona.

Matches involving Atalanta and Siena are among those under investigation, which could put the two clubs' recent promotion back into Serie A at risk.

Reggina, Novara, Padova and Varese on Thursday began a playoff for the final Serie A promotion.