ROME – Napoli has been penalized two points in the Serie A standings for match-fixing after its former goalkeeper confessed to arranging the result of a game three seasons ago.
The sentence handed out by the Italian soccer federation's disciplinary committee on Tuesday dropped the southern club from a tie for third place into fifth position, 10 points behind league leader Juventus.
Also, current Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro and defender Gianluca Grava were each banned for six months.
The keeper, Matteo Gianello, confessed to prosecutors that he attempted to fix the match between Sampdoria and Napoli on May 16, 2010.
Gianello was banned for three years and three months.
Appeals are expected.
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