I believe that the Italian football authorities missed the chance of a fresh start for the sport.

The scandal that hit the Italian football league in the past two months was not dealt with in the proper

manner.

Because of what Juventus were responsible for, through two of their top officials, they should not have been given a lenient sentence – demotion to the Serie B, with a minus 30 points, later reduced to minus 17.

They should have been relegated to the Serie C, as initially proposed by the public prosecutor.

The punishment given to Juventus, as such, appeared “lenient” when compared to what the other three clubs involved in the issue – Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio – did. I think that these three were punished so much only to “mitigate” the effect of the Juventus punishment.

Yet, Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio got stiffer penalties than they should have for their shortcomings. Never before have clubs received more than a minus nine points penalty, and yet Fiorentina will start the Serie A with minus 19 points – which could mean relegation at the end of the season – while Lazio will start with minus 11.

The minus eight points inflicted on Milan – coupled with the loss of 30 points inflicted for the season that has just ended – is also too harsh.

And, before guns are pointed out at me, I must say that I am an Inter supporter.

J. Camilleri

San Gwann