Thursday 29 December 2016 19:59, UK
Atalanta have been cleared of claims they attempted to fix last season's two Serie A games against Livorno.
Atalanta have been cleared of claims they attempted to fix last season's two Serie A games against relegated Livorno.
A disciplinary commission of Italy's football federation (FIGC) also exonerated Atalanta player Gian Paolo Bellini, saying there was no proof he was guilty of seeking to fix the results with former Livorno captain David Balleri.
However, Balleri was found guilty of the less serious charge of 'sporting disloyalty' and he has been banned for four months, while Livorno were fined €25,000 (£19,700).
But Balleri, now with Italian fourth-tier outfit Como, is set to contest the punishment.
"I'll appeal. I don't deserve it," Balleri told Gazzetta dello Sport.
FIGC prosecutors had asked for the two clubs to be given six-point deductions next season and for Bellini and Balleri to be banned for three years.
Livorno brothers Emanuele and Antonio Filippini and team-mate Alessandro Grandoni were cleared of charges of failing to inform the authorities about the alleged wrongdoing.
