England coach Capello facing six-year jail term over perjury charge

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England coach Fabio Capello faces the prospect of being sent to prison for up to six years after Rome prosecutors confirmed he will face a full investigation into whether he withheld information to an Italian court.

The threat of action first surfaced on March 31 after the England coach gave evidence in a trial of six men accused of fostering unfair competition through the use of threats or violence as part of Italy's Gea World sports agency.

Now after weeks of reviewing transcripts of Capello's evidence, the prosecutor has confirmed he will go ahead with an investigation which could lead to the former AC Milan and Juventus coach being charged and facing trial.

Under Italian law, a person found guilty of withholding information in court can be jailed for up to six years.

Capello and his lawyers have said they were surprised by the prosecutor's actions in March.

Former Juventus chief executive Antonio Giraudo is also now being investigated along with Capello for what is being termed as 'perjury'.

The Football Association insisted today that: “This is a private matter and remains so.”

Capello's son and manager, Pierfilippo Capello, added: “We haven't been informed of anything. There is nothing new from when we first heard about this two months ago. We'll take action when it is necessary.”

The Gea World sports agency was run by the son of Luciano Moggi, the former Juventus general manager.

Capello coached the club from 2004-06 and, according to the text of his testimony, did not remember or know of any details of the scandal.

While he was not charged before a sports court for direct involvement in the scandal, Giraudo was banned from soccer for five years.

 

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