Soccer's Serie A Match-Fixing Scandal

In 2006, reports about officiating irregularities in Italy's top flight surfaced. Further investigations and interviews with referees revealed the depth and scope of fixing that was prevalent in Italian soccer. As a result of this scandal, some big clubs like AC Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Regina were heavily penalized--both on and off the pitch.

However, the biggest loser was soccer giant Juventus--the most successful Italian team--which was relegated to the second tier. Thanks to this decision, several players from Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad, including the legendary Gianluigi Buffon, played the 2006 season in Serie B!

-Picture courtesy Reuters-