Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/229731
21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2013 SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Gennaro Gattuso 'stunned' by match-fixing investigation Former Italy and AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is shocked that he is being investigated on suspicion of involvement in match-fixing. GATTUSO, a 2006 World Cup winner who played for Rangers in the late 1990s, was on Tuesday named by Italian media in a probe being carried out by Cremona's prosecuting office. Ex-Lazio midfielder Cristian Brocchi is included in the investigation, according to reports. Both face allegations that they were involved in a betting ring that fixed Serie A and other Italian games in the 2010-11 campaign. "Gennaro is stunned by the news," Gattuso's agent Andrea D'Amico told Press Association Sport. "I spoke to him and he is returning home (to Milan). "We are remaining calm and we have to be patient and see how the investigation develops. "However, just because he is under investigation does not mean anything, for all we know this could be just false allegations. "Sometimes when you are a famous player, it is very easy for your name to appear and to be a target. "We will wait and see how the situation develops." Reports in Italy claim that Gattuso and Brocchi both had telephone contact with people that were arrested on Monday night by police. The four taken into custody are charged with sporting fraud as part of 'Last Bet' operation, an investigation that began in 2010 and that has already led to 54 arrests, including current and former Italian players. Speaking to the Sport Mediaset Gattuso denied all accusations "I want to clarify something: in my life I have never sat down with anyone to fix games, nor have I ever thought to, as I wouldn't even know where to start," he told Sport Mediaset. "I am prepared to go into the town square and kill myself in front of everyone if I should be found guilty of such a crime. After all, my life would be meaningless from that point on. I wouldn't have the courage to look anyone in the eye. I say that from the heart. "I don't even play five-a-side foot- Gennaro Gattuso ball with my friends because I can't stand losing. The phone records show Bazzani sent me 13 text messages. They will therefore also show I never replied to any of them. This man knows half of Serie A, he came to the Milanello gates like many hundreds of others. He was a bookmaker in Bologna, but I never talked about fixing games. "Match-fixing is just not part of who I am. I made some bets when it was still allowed, but as soon as it was barred for professionals, I stopped. No problem. "I am accused not of placing bets, but of fixing games and I can't understand how they can do that. I was in Naples, so only found out about the raid from my wife this morning, after police took me in to sign some papers. I hope the magistrate calls me in soon because I want to clarify my position. "I had also been dragged into this affair two years ago. I am convinced and fully aware of my innocence. I spent my entire career working hard. I have a foundation that allowed me to give away €1.5m to help children and then people suggest I fixed games to earn more? It just doesn't make sense." Gattuso, 35, retired from professional football earlier this year to pursue a coaching career. He has been out of a job since being sacked as head coach by Serie B side Palermo in September. Brocchi is currently a youth team coach at AC Milan. MOTORSPORTS ASMK Car Demolition for l-Istrina on Sunday THE day has come for all the Car Demolition lovers to smash their cars to victory to help raise funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund and Istrina. This year ASMK will be commemorating the 20th consecutive year on Sunday 22nd December. Autocross motor racing by Maltese and Gozo drivers starts as early as 10.00 am on the ASMK Race Circuits at Ta Qali. This very busy and ambitious program is well prepared to please all present on track and in the spectators areas too. Special Fun Races will be run for the Motocross lovers. An Open Class is organized where the Riders have to run in full MX Kit for their motorcycle which will be placed on the Start Line. Another Class will be organised for Enduro Bikes only. Though these bikes are heavier than the Motocross counterparts, these riders will race within this group only on motocross soil. A 3rd Class is dedicated for Vintage Bikes up to 1999 manufacture. Young and older riders are allowed to race in this class of Old Time Motocross only by riding their Vintage Bikes. Besides the usual circuit racing the Autocross section drivers will be organising 'Track Rides'. The spectators will be sitting next to the driver on a special seat and belted for safety reasons. The passengers will be allowed to video their rides while being driven by the expert Autocross drivers on track. The spectators may be allowed to choose their favourite car for their demonstration run on track. By the strike of 3.30pm ASMK Officers will be preparing the 18 drivers taking part in this year's Demolition Derby. The slogan chosen 'INHABBTUHOM GHAL L-ISTRINA' have urged these brave gentlemen to take their special cars to fight their last survival test. The selection of vehicles of Toyota's, Volvo's, BMW, Mercedes, Lada, Peugeot, Ford, Hunter and Seat will be painted in bright colours and some will be decorated for the Christmas season too. All safety features will be inspected by an ASMK experienced team and should pass the safety standards otherwise they are eliminated. They battle on the field right in front of the grandstand. The last car still moving under its own power will be declared as Winner among cheers from his team and spectators too. ASMK will present Trophies to both the winner and the Runner-up. On Sunday 15th December ASMK was busy again organizing the 2nd Moto Enduro of the 2013-14 ASMKPasta Poiatti Enduro Championship. This event was held within the quarry at Torri Falka l/o Mgarr. 25 riders divided into 3 main classes competed on the day on the 4.5 kilometer long track clearly marked on all kinds of terrain on site. All riders performed their first heat for Pole Position. Later each competitor had to run 2 Timed Runs with a chance to improve his class placing. Right from the Pole run James Zahra riding a 250cc Yamaha MX made the Fastest Time. He also managed to win his class with a best time of 4mins. 16.0 secs. Joseph Scicluna riding a 125cc Honda 2T won 2nd in Class with 4 min. 43.00 secs. 3rd placed Clayton Camilleri on a 2450cc KTM made his best run in 4mins. 43.21 secs. The Over 250cc Class B with riders of Enduro skills was very well battled for the lead mainly by Matthew Gauci, Alex Sant Fornier and by Matthew Solomon too. It was Gauci who registered his best time of 4 minutes 28.97secs in this class. Solomon registered his 2nd in Class time in his 2nd heat but he was relegated to 3rd in Class to Sant Fornier who improved his tme in his 2nd Timed run to that of Solomon. Class C was allocated for Trials bikers only. Veteran Trials biker Robert Caruana on his Gas Gas 280cc dominated his class with a best time of 4 minutes 15.99 seconds. Young Gary Debono riding a Montesa placed 2nd in Class with 4 minutes 37.19 seconds. Damon Bonello on his 280cc Gas Gas bike won 3rd in Class with a best time of 4 minutes 38.40 seconds. The Overall Winner sponsored by Dunlop Malta was motocross rider James Zahra and the Runner-up was Robert Caruana from the ASMK Trials section. Next Sunday 22nd December in aid if the MCCF events will conclude the ASMK sporting events for the year 2013. More racing is scheduled as from next January 2014. More detailed information is found in www.asmk.org.mt