The Calciopoli Relegation

Lore & Background

The scandal first came to light from investigations into the football agency GEA World, founded by Luciano Moggi's son. Transcripts showed Juventus general director Luciano Moggi and CEO Antonio Giraudo discussing referee designations for the 2004–05 Serie A season. Notable referees Pierluigi Collina and Roberto Rosetti emerged unscathed. The scandal drew attention to conflicts of interest, including Massimo Moratti's ties to TIM, which sponsored Serie A, Silvio Berlusconi's dual role as Milan president and Prime Minister, and Juventus's ownership by the Agnelli family, which also controlled FIAT, a sponsor of the FIGC and the Italian Referee Association.

Reader's Guide

The 2005–06 Serie A championship, won by Juventus, was remade to retroactively punish implicated clubs. This resulted in third-classified Inter Milan being awarded the scudetto by FIGC commissioner Guido Rossi after a vote, alongside Juventus's relegation and penalty points for Fiorentina, Lazio, Milan, and Reggina. The 2005–06 championship was never investigated; only the 2004–05 title, also won by Juventus, was revoked.

Did You Know?

• The scandal was first brought to light by wiretaps published in Italian press outlets like Il Romanista, not exclusively by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
• Massimo De Santis was barred from refereeing at the 2006 World Cup after coming under investigation.
• A study on the 2004–05 Serie A championship found that Juventus averaged more points per game with investigated referees than with those not investigated.