Conte banned for 10 months

The coach of the Serie A champion was accused by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) of failing to report alleged match-fixing involving Siena when he managed them in the 2010-2011 Serie B season.

Lecce and Grosseto were found guilty of the more serious charge of direct involvement in match-fixing and their punishments reflected that, with both clubs relegated to Lega Pro ahead of the 2012-2013 campaign.

Former Lecce president Giovanni Semeraro, who sold the club in June, and former Grosseto president Piero Camilli have been handed five-year bans for their part in the scandal.

Conte's assistant Angelo Alessio, who followed him from Siena to Juventus, has also been banned for eight months while former Bari defender Nicola Belmonte faces a six-month suspension.

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.

Bonucci and Pepe are currently Juve players, Masiello and Vives represent Torino, Padelli is on loan at Udinese while Di Vaio now plays for Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact.

Charges against Conte of direct involvement in match-fixing were dismissed last month, but the FIGC are satisfied he was aware it was taking place during his time with Siena.

A statement from the FIGC read: "(These are) the judgments issued today by the National Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Sergio Artico, in relation to two cases of match-fixing.

"Among the officials, the more severe penalties are those of the president of Grosseto, Camilli, and the former president of Lecce, Semeraro, (for both a five-year ban); the disqualification of 10 months for Antonio Conte, currently coach of Juventus, and for eight months his deputy Angelo Alessio."

Juventus quickly responded to the news saying it would help in an appeal against the bans for Conte and Alessio.

"Juventus Football Club warmly welcomes the acquittal of its players Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe, and reiterates its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio in the hope the next stage of the process will finally prove their innocence," a club statement read.

"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."

In total, 45 people and 13 clubs were under investigation, among them Conte's former side Siena, which last week accepted a six-point deduction in a plea bargain deal.

Serie A newcomer Torino, Serie B side Varese and relegated Albinoleffe will pay fines of 30,000 euros ($35,000) and begin the season with one-point penalties after their plea bargains were also accepted.

Serie B side Novara has been docked two points while top-flight Bologna and fourth-tier Ancona face fines of 30,000 euros and 10,000 euros respectively.