Soccer: Agnelli ban cut,fine imposed (4)

(ANSA) - Rome, December 18 - Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli's one-year ban for ultra ticketing ties was cut by an Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) Federal Court Monday so that it elapses today, sources said Monday. A 100,000-euro fine was imposed by the court.
    As well as the sanctions on Agnelli, the federal court gave Juve a 600,000-euro fine.
    It also ordered a Juve curva end stand closed for the first home game of 2018, against Genoa on January 21.
    The one-year ban was imposed on September 25 when a lower FIGC court banned Agnelli for one year for improper contacts with ultra fans including a suspected member of the Calabria-based 'Ndrangheta mafia over ticketing and ticket touting.
    Agnelli, 41, was found guilty of "endorsing, or in any case not preventing" illicit relations to keep hardcore fans happy by giving them tickets.
    FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro, who had requested a 30-month ban, said he would appeal, saying the involvement of the mafia in the alleged touting was "extremely serious".
    Juventus was fined 300,000 euros.
    Juventus told ANSA it would appeal the verdict.
    Juve stressed that the tribunal's sentence had "ruled out all hypothesis of a link with members of organised crime".
    Pecoraro had also requested that the Italian champions be made to play two home matches behind closed doors, with their stadium's curva sud stand shut for another game on top.
    Agnelli, who was recently elected president of the European Club Association, has said he only met the allegedly Mob-linked ultra at meetings with groups of other supporters.
    The fan in question, alleged 'Ndrangheta member Rocco Dominello, has been convicted of ticket touting.
    The FIGC tribunal said Agnelli had "sporadic" meetings with Dominello and was not aware of his criminal background.
    In a trial into suspected 'Ndrangheta penetration of the Piedmont economy, prosecutors have asked a sentence of eight years for him, and 12 years for his father Saverio.
    The longest term, 17 years one month and 16 days, was asked for Diego Raso, a member of the so-called Santhia' branch of the Calabrian Mob.
    Total terms of 112 years have been requested in the 'North Piedmont' trial.
    photo: Agnelli at parliamentary anti-mafia commission hearing chaired by Rosy Bindi