Giovanni Trapattoni has reflected on Cristiano Doni’s latest alleged involvement in a betting scandal to hit Italy.
Doni was arrested just before Christmas for his alleged involvement in a betting syndicate that investigators believe sought to influence a number of results in Serie B and perhaps in Serie A over the course of the last two years.
Giovanni Trapattoni has reflected on Cristiano Doni’s latest alleged involvement in a betting scandal to hit Italy.
Doni was arrested just before Christmas for his alleged involvement in a betting syndicate that investigators believe sought to influence a number of results in Serie B and perhaps in Serie A over the course of the last two years.
Trapattoni, who gave Doni his international debut with Italy in November 2001 and also took the then-29-year-old to the 2002 World Cup, gave his verdict on the player in light of his second arrest inside six months for a betting-related scandal.
“I regarded Doni as a smart guy. I have to think again, because he has not been intelligent for ending up where he currently is.”
Speaking earlier this week to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the current Republic of Ireland Coach, who faces Italy at Euro 2012, reflected on the impact such scandals have on the country.
“The [‘Last Bet’ scandal] is a blow for Italian football. There is a certain bitterness. I’m referring to us, the Coaches who work abroad.
“We are branded as fraudulent – they often use the word ‘mafia’ and it is really displeasing.
“There is a network of betting, but elsewhere [in the world] the players do not bet and are not involved in fixing games.”