New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been cleared of fraud charges following a court hearing in Cremona on Monday. The prosecutors had requested a six-month sentence for the former Juventus boss, but he is now free to manage Italy at the Euro 2016 and Chelsea after the tournament.
The 46-year-old had been accused of failing to report a match-fixing incident that involved a Serie B side AlbinoLeffe back in May 2011 when he was the manager of Siena. As a result, he served a four-match ban awaiting trial.
The case involved players and other parties who had allegedly conspired with underworld figures to indulge in match fixing for betting purposes. However, according to Conte’s lawyer Francesco Arata, his client was a total stranger to betting and thus, he would have nothing to do with such an incident.
Conte’s assistant Angelo Alessio was also cleared of the match fixing allegations. Alessio worked under Conte during the three title-winning seasons at Juve, and is also his current assistant at Italy.
Conte is expected to travel to the Stamford Bridge after the Euros in order to begin Chelsea’s preparation for the new season, including signing fresh pair of legs.
