Serie B Side Catania President Pulvirenti Admits Buying Results Of Five Matches

Italian Serie B club Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti "has admitted to buying five matches last season," according to Ben Gladwell of ESPN. Pulvirenti "was put under house arrest last week following an investigation into alleged match-fixing in some of the Sicilian club's games last season." He "was accused of paying opponents to let Catania win" as it faced the prospect of a second straight relegation. Pulvirenti, "asked to give his version of events on Monday," admitted having paid €100,000 ($112,000) per match on five occasions. Catania state prosecutor Giovanni Salvi said, "He did it to save Catania. ... However, he has denied having bet on the games." The Serie B authorities and the Italian FA (FIGC) "are awaiting the conclusions of the investigation before imposing sporting sanctions" (ESPN, 6/29).