Lazio Midfielder Stefano Mauri Arrested In Italian Football Match-Fixing Investigation

Lazio Skipper Arrested In Match-Fixing Investigation
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Stefano Mauri, captain of Serie A side SS Lazio, has been arrested by Italian police in relation to a match-fixing investigation.

Mauri, 32, was held along with former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, police confirmed, after a series of dawn raids. Of the 19 people involved, 10 are either current or former players from Serie A, B and other lower divisions.

Officers will continue to search more than 30 homes, of players, trainers and administrators. National team full-back Domenico Criscito's room was searched at Italy's Euro 2012 camp just outside Florence as part of the probe as well.

In June last year, the Interior Ministry set up a special match-fixing task force in response to a number of high profile cases.

Former Atalanta captain and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni was banned for three-and-a-half years in August for his part in the Calcioscommesse scandal involving Serie B games last season. He had already been arrested in December 2011 over match-fixing and betting allegations.

Atalanta, promoted from Serie B last year, were deducted six points as a result of the scandal.

Former Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was also banned for five years while 15 other footballers were suspended for between one and five years too.

Italian football was rocked in 2006 when the Calciopoli scandal resulted in the demotion of the country's most successful domestic side, Juventus, being relegated to Serie B.

AC Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Reggina were also docked points after findings made by Italian police.

Mauri has been capped 11 times by the Azzurri but was not called up to the squad for the European Championship. He joined Lazio in 2006.