Italian football player Emanuele Pesoli of Serie B side Verona has gone on hunger strike in protest over his three-year match-fixing ban.
The defender has also chained himself to the gates of the Italian Football Federation’s headquarters in Rome.
“I am hurt by the sentence and I would like to confront those who accuse me,” said Emanuele Pesoli.
The 31-year-old has been banned after a probe into illegal betting on matches while he was at Siena, who he left for Verona in July.
Emanuele Pesoli of Serie B side Verona has gone on hunger strike in protest over his three-year match-fixing ban
Juventus manager Antonio Conte has been suspended for 10 months for not reporting match-fixing when he was in charge of Siena, then in Serie B, in the 2010-11 season.
“It is a strong protest but they are ruining my life for something I have not done,” added Emanuele Pesoli.
“I will stay here until I can’t do it anymore.”
Emanuele Pesoli was one of a number of players, coaches and officials to be handed bans by the federation on Friday in the latest scandal to engulf Italian football.
In May, police searched more than 30 homes, including those of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and the lower divisions.
Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, 32, was held along with former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, while officers visited Italy’s pre-Euro 2012 training camp to question left-back Domenico Criscito, 25.
Antonio Conte, Juventus manager and coach, has been banned for 10 months after an investigation into match-fixing.
Last year Antonio Conte, 43, led the club to the Serie A title in his first season in charge without losing a single game.
He was accused of failing to report alleged match-fixing involving former club Siena in the 2010-11 season.
Antonio Conte, whose assistant coach Angelo Alessio was also banned, is set to appeal the decision and Juventus said both retained their full support.
Charges against Antonio Conte of direct involvement in match-fixing were dismissed last month, but the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said it was satisfied Conte was aware it was taking place during his time with Siena.
Antonio Conte, Juventus manager and coach, has been banned for 10 months after an investigation into match-fixing
Antonio Conte had a plea bargain deal rejected by the FIGC earlier this month. He put forward a proposal which would have seen him serve a three-month suspension and pay a fine of 200,000 Euros.
The federation has now confirmed the 10-month sanction.
Police had previously said Antonio Conte was being investigated on suspicion of sporting fraud and fraudulent association over allegations concerning a match between his Serie B side Siena and Novara in April 2011.
In addition to the ban for Angelo Alessio, who was Antonio Conte’s assistant at Siena, former Lecce president Giovanni Semeraro and ex-Grosseto president Piero Camilli are also facing suspensions.
“Juventus reiterates its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio in the hope the next stage of the process will finally prove their innocence,” read a Juventus statement.
“A group of legal professionals have been appointed by the individuals concerned and, with the full support of the club, is already working to prepare grounds for an appeal.”
Grosseto and Lecce have both been excluded from Serie B, the Italian second tier, for the 2012-13 season for their part in the scandal of direct involvement in match-fixing. Both clubs have been relegated to Lega Pro, which covers Italy’s third and fourth divisions.
Six other players – Leonardo Bonucci, Simone Pepe, Marco di Vaio, Salvatore Masiello, Daniele Padelli and Giuseppe Vives – have been acquitted of the charges against them.
In May, police searched more than 30 homes, including those of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and the lower divisions.
Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, 32, was held along with former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, while officers visited Italy’s pre-Euro 2012 training camp to question left-back Domenico Criscito, 25.
Five people were also arrested in Hungary on suspicion of being part of an illegal international betting ring.
