Napoli deducted two points for match-fixing

The sentence handed out by the Italian soccer federation's disciplinary committee on Tuesday dropped the southern club from a tie for third place into fifth position, 10 points behind league leader Juventus.

The Italian Football Federation confirmed the punishments this morning, while also fining the club €70,000.

The outfit were put on trial as part of the probe into match-fixing given the actions of their former goalkeeper Matteo Gianello.

Also, current Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro and defender Gianluca Grava were each banned for six months.

The duo, however, are said to have refused, but they have been charged with failing to report the match-fixing attempt.

Cannavaro and Grava have insisted they knew nothing of Gianello’s intentions.

The keeper, Matteo Gianello, confessed to prosecutors that he attempted to fix the match between Sampdoria and Napoli on May 16, 2010.

Gianello was banned for three years and three months.

Appeals are expected.