[azzurri]

Author: Giuseppe Solinas, taken from Facebook group titled ""Calciopoli or Falsopoli; The Truth Behind The Trial That Crippled Juventus".

Much has been discussed and analyzed after the highly controversial verdicts of last year’s Calciopoli scandal. The scandal rocked the foundation of Italian soccer and was intended to clean up the ugly side of the beautiful game in Serie A. Much has been said about the methods used and the evidence brought forth but a recent study in Italy has taken a different direction…the present.

An annual study is conducted every year by a statistical research firm known as Adiconsum and Make Tailored Advertising which measures referee accuracy in Serie A. The study called “Virtual Class” was concluded earlier this week and publicized in various Italian sports newspapers such as Tuttosport, Gazzetta dello Sport, Sportsnews, and Corriere dello Sport. These results are now calling into question the efficiency of last year’s sports trial in eliminating shady and partial officiating.

The president of the Association Luciano Lupi made a public announcement from the organization’s home office in Rome indicating that 41.3% of Serie A matches in the 2006-2007 season were falsified by referee errors. This figure has set a new record for Serie A beating the previous record season of 2003-2004. Lupi went on to reveal that referee errors moved 240 points in various directions over the course of the season and altered the standings significantly. After studying all 380 games a total of 157 game altering referee errors were recorded with only two referees over the course of the season registering perfect scores. Further statistics revealed that 2% of errors committed were in relation to phantom goals while penalty shots covered 56% of all errors committed. An average of 5.5 points was falsified per official this year with 95% of the referees committing the errors.

Though no referee names were mentioned a handful of teams were revealed in the study that benefitted from or suffered the consequences of the errors. Reggina for instance was docked 18 points throughout the season and merited a UEFA Cup spot at season’s close. Chievo was wrongfully relegated while Torino wrongfully survived Serie A. According to Lupi Milan were docked 2 points wrongfully while Lazio wound up with 5 points less than they should have had and Fiorentina also ended up missing out on 3 points. The team that benefitted the most from referee errors this season was Internazionale FC. “The team crowned this year was also the league leader in points by error, who the officials arbitrated with what seemed like a sense of fear” Lupi.

Lupi went on to suggest that more technology should be utilized to govern the sport on the field. “The errors should be avoided for the best interests of the teams, fans, and gamblers who invest money annually in the sport. No word yet from AIA (Italian Referees Association), La Lega Calcio, or the FIGC on the matter however, fans of last year’s penalized clubs along with Chievo fans are calling for action. The biggest question being; did last year’s verdicts clear up shady officiating or clear a path for shadier officiating? The study is likely to be used in the appeals of various entities affected by last year’s verdicts that are already in progress, among them Reggina who were mysteriously implicated in last year’s trials and recipients a points penalty only to become the most penalized club in Serie A the following season.
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Whoever speaks Italian let me know. You could make use of official documents, interviews, articles sites, and letters by key figures.

Any questions you can all forward to me and I will gladly do what I can.

Finally,

FORZA GRANDE MITICA JUVE
29 TIME CHAMPIONS OF ITALY WITHOUT FIXING GAMES OR SPORTS TRIBUNALS!!!

With Pride,
Giuseppe Solinas
Juventus Special Member
Juventino DOC Toronto
Associate Giu Le Mani Dalla Juve