The Scandal: Can their be any doubt that the 2006 Italian match-fixing scandal belongs at #1 on this list? Though Brazil and Germany’s match-fixing scandals were widespread, it seemed like Italy’s was all-encompassing. It brought shame to the nation just as it should have been celebrating its 2006 World Cup title. It was – as we say – a real doozy.
The Participants: It would be easier to list the names and organizations who were not implicated in this scandal than it would be to name them all. Several Serie A (including giants Juventus, Milan, and Lazio) and Serie B teams were part of the scheme. Team managers, players, referees and league officials were all embroiled in the scandal.
The Investigation: Prosecutors had discovered that Luciano Moggi, Jueventus GM, had engaged in several telephone calls with Serie A officials to rig which referees would call matches for the squad. Italy’s referee representative to the 2006 World Cup was removed due to his improprieties. Several other players and clubs were punished.
The Legacy: There has never been a larger scandal in soccer history because this match-fixing scheme affected so many teams and was perpetuated by so many people who held positions of public trust. Juventus was especially injured, as many of its high profile players immediately left the squad. All in all, there has never been a scandal that so badly injured soccer’s reputation. That is why this scandal is #1 on my list.
I hope you have enjoyed (i.e. been shocked) by my rankings, and if I forgot any of your favorite scandals (there were so many good ones to choose from), please let me hear about it in the comments. Until then, please keep coming back to PLTO for the best news and commentary on the interwebs. Peace.
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