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FIFA extends Juventus coach Conte's ban worldwide

By myjoyonline
Sports News FIFA extends Juventus coach Conte's ban worldwide
SEP 14, 2012 LISTEN

Juventus coach Antonio Conte had his 10-month suspension for match-fixing violations extended by FIFA on Friday to include all matches worldwide, barring him from working at a Champions League game against Chelsea next week.

Conte's ban "covers all types of matches, including domestic, international, friendly and official fixtures,'' FIFA said in a statement.

Juventus, a two-time European champion, begins the Champions League group stage away to titleholder Chelsea on Wednesday. The group also includes Shakhtar Donetsk and Nordsjaelland.

FIFA said the sanction could be changed if Conte wins an appeal, "such as the one currently pending at the National Arbitration Tribunal for Sport in Italy.''

Conte was suspended by the Italian football federation in the offseason for failing to report match-fixing by an opponent when he coached then-Serie B team Siena in the 2010-11 season.

Conte later guided unbeaten Juventus to the Serie A title this year in his first season in Turin.

Juventus technical director Massimo Carrera has taken charge at matches this season while Conte and his assistant Angelo Alessio are banished from match-day duties.

Conte has been criticized by at least one rival coach for continuing to take training sessions.

FIFA said it was preparing to extend suspensions worldwide to other players and officials implicated in the ongoing Italian match-fixing investigation.

"FIFA is currently reviewing additional documentation provided by the (Italian federation) in relation to other sanctions,'' football's world governing body said.


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