ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says it imposed worldwide bans on ”several officials and players” linked to match-fixing and illegal betting in Italy.
The cases were already judged by the Italian soccer federation and Olympic committee who ordered national-level bans of up to five years.
FIFA says in some cases officials were banned for life from ”holding any kind of position” at the Italian federation.
FIFA did not identify officials and players involved in the matches, played in 2014 and 2015, which were investigated by prosecutors in Catanzaro and Catania.
Last June, Catania owner Antonino Pulvirenti admitted to fixing five Serie B matches aimed at preventing the Sicilian club’s relegation to the third tier.
Pulvirenti claimed in court to have made payoffs totaling 500,000 euros ($550,000).
