Inter, AC Milan Indicted in Forgery Scandal

• Football Italia, Thursday, January 25, 2007 3:26 PM

Once again, politics and scandal are on the verge of overshadowing the game in Italy, as Football Italia reveals that Inter and AC Milan have been indicted for false accounting practices prior to the 2004-2005 season. Federal Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had been investigating a possible case against the Italian giants, and has now handed his findings to a disciplinary commission for review.

The investigation was launched after 23-year old goalkeeper Simone Brunelli, a relative unknown in Italian soccer, reported that his signature was forged in order to facilitate his transfer from AC Milan to Inter. Brunelli said he only learned about his transfer from the newspapers, later receiving the signed contract at his home. At the time, he was sold for nearly $4 million, even though his salary was only around $3,400 per month.

Inter official Gabriele Oriale and the goalkeeper himself, who has been out of action since 2004 through injury, are set to appear in front of the commission for questioning. Both Inter and Milan deny any wrongdoing; if found guilty they face fines and a possible point deduction.

Read the whole story at Football Italia »