Pesoli continues hunger strike

Emanuele Pesoli has been chained to the FIGC headquarters on hunger strike for over 24 hours. “I want to defend myself in a real trial.”

Emanuele Pesoli has been chained to the FIGC headquarters on hunger strike for over 24 hours. “I want to defend myself in a real trial.”

The Siena defender was convicted of sporting fraud on Friday and handed a three-year ban, but he insists that he rejected the proposed fix from Carlo Gervasoni and Filippo Carobbio for Siena-Varese on May 11 2011.

He is on hunger strike in Rome as a protest, hoping to get the chance to question his accusers – something he and his lawyers were not allowed to do in the betting trial.

“Other than the director general of the Federation Antonello Valentini, nobody has contacted me,” said Pesoli from his position outside the building.

“I am waiting for a call from prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, as I want this confrontation with my accusers in court.

“This isn’t just about my career, but also my life and my family. If I must defend myself against accusations, I want to defend myself in a real trial.”

Damiano Tommasi, President of the AIC (Italian Players’ Association), called Pesoli this afternoon and released a statement offering “solidarity on a human level, remaining convinced the various appeals can give him another opportunity to fight these charges.

“I hope Emanuele can set aside the instinctive part of himself and face this new challenge with greater calm.”