Gennaro Gattuso is being investigated by Italian prosecutors as part of a match-fixing probe, it was reported in the Guardian today.
The people in Italian football are old pros when it comes to dealing with this stuff. Four other men, alleged to have facilitated contact between the fixers and Serie A players have been arrested. Gattuso currently works as Palermo boss but the probe relates to his time with AC Milan. Retired Milan player Christian Brocchi is also being investigated.
The investigation relates to matches under suspicion from the 2010/11 season. Former Lazio captains Beppe Signori and Stefano Mauro have already received lengthy bans relating to games fixed during that season (Signori served on the Lazio coaching staff by this time).
Gattuso's fiery displays in midfield were instrumental in Italy winning the World Cup in 2006. He is also better known in Ireland for having himself compared to every, pedestrian, creative vacuum to line out for Ireland between 2008 and 2013 by then manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
UPDATE:
Gattuso has told Italian TV station Mediaset that he is "angry and offended" by the allegations. He insisted that he is "going to clarify everything" and claimed that he has "never had a bet in his life."
Gattuso tells Mediaset he’s “angry + offended” by accusations. “I’m going to clarify everything.” Adds: “I’ve never bet in my life."
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) December 17, 2013
