I AM the Football Star

Chapter 66: Chapter 28: Italian D Division Gambling Scandal, Sofia’s House Key_2

How could such a local broker like Arthas possibly know nothing about these things?

Some brokers are even involved with gambling parties.

...

One day later, Sanremo Football Club appealed against the thirty-fourth round league match.

They believed there were major issues with the main referee’s decisions at that time and that the penalties on Potenza’s players were far too lenient. However, they did not have strong objections to the penalties imposed on Lu Yang.

This kind of appeal, to some extent, allowed the Italian Football Association to save face.

After all, if a real brawl like Lu Yang’s could be overlooked, then the Italian Football Association might as well organize everyone to play fixed matches.

Two days later, many people started to realize.

Because according to regulations, Lu Yang’s additional suspension during the appeal period would not be enforced.

This meant that Lu Yang would only miss the thirty-fifth round of the league.

This instantly revived San Remo’s fans.

Similarly, it made the other five teams in the top six of the rankings very excited, each expressing their opinions on Lu Yang’s brawl and demanding the association severely punish such behavior.

But they also knew that this kind of voice was actually ineffective.

Because once it entered the process, everything became irreversible.

Just like how, even if there is an error in a football match’s decision, even if it’s confirmed afterwards that there was a problem with the call, the match result often cannot be changed.

Another day later, the focus of Italian football shifted from Lu Yang and San Remo to Potenza’s Borges and Odin, the main referee of the thirty-fourth round match.

According to a report from Live Football Report, there had been abnormal fluctuations in their accounts for a long time.

And with evidence provided by an anonymous netizen, everyone could confirm that they participated in gambling on a certain gaming website.

This report instantly instilled fear in the Italian Football Association!

Match-fixing, it has returned!

Considering that the entire European Football’s focus was also on Italy, if the Italian Football Association couldn’t handle this matter well, their long-forgotten dark history would quickly return.

This would be a huge blow to the commercial value of the entire Italian football, definitely not just a question of millions or tens of millions.

The Italian Football Association quickly intervened in the investigation and, through internal data, rapidly confirmed that the two indeed participated in gambling. And often, they participated in matches they would play or officiate.

Although they didn’t directly place bets, they often bet through relatives or by exchanging interests.

Don’t ask why the association has ”insider information,” those who know, know.

This matter cannot be dragged on for too long, otherwise, with international attention, even if it’s resolved, it would be a loss.

So... this Italian D Division football scandal lasted only two days from the incident to the resolution.

Borges and Odin were taken away by the police.

It is reported that they will face charges from the Italian Football Association, with heavy financial compensation and are destined for imprisonment.

The Italian Football Association specifically instructed relevant media to handle this matter quietly.

They urgently needed something that would attract everyone’s eyes in the Italian D Division to divert public attention.

And if Lu Yang continued to be unable to participate in matches, then as a ”victim of the gambling incident,” it would draw more attention to this matter.

After all, if there hadn’t been those unjust decisions, how would Lu Yang have come to blows on the field?

But the Italian Football Association cannot slap themselves in the face, they can’t possibly overturn their own penalties.

Under these circumstances, that appeal became the best cover-up.

The Italian Football Association didn’t rush to handle the appeal and kept delaying it.

This means that Lu Yang would only be suspended for one match.

Of course, the team would help Lu Yang pay that fine.

...

In the thirty-fifth round of the Italian D League, Sofia was in a seaside villa in San Remo.

Lu Yang and Sofia sat on the sofa, turning on the TV to watch the game.

This might be the biggest challenge San Remo faces this season.

They must win this match during Lu Yang’s suspension to keep up their chase of the teams ahead on the standings.

”Can you win?” Sofia looked at the intense game on the field.

”Of course, we can! Look, that’s Morici. With him organizing our attack, we’ll definitely win.” Lu Yang pointed at Morici on the screen.

”Oh, I remember this kid, the one who was serving drinks.” Sofia said, pulling out a set of keys, ”I will be leaving San Remo for a while soon.”

”You are still staying at the team’s dormitory, right? I think you could stay here, there are so many rooms.” Sofia blushed slightly.

She wasn’t short of money, she has properties in several cities in Italy.

”Huh? Here, me?” Lu Yang was stunned.

”Just consider it as helping me keep an eye on the place? If it remains unattended for too long, I fear... Don’t worry, I’ll hire someone to manage it, you just help me... keep an eye on it...” Sofia’s logic was a bit jumbled and she wasn’t even convinced herself by the end, ”You don’t have to worry about any costs of staying here, helping me is already a big help...”

”But there’s no football field here.” Lu Yang shook his head, ”Though living here wouldn’t affect my participation in team training, it’d impact my extra practice.”

”Don’t worry, I’ll get everything sorted before I leave.” Sofia said suddenly inspired, ”In fact, I’m quite interested in football too, and I’ve been wanting to set up a small football field on that empty space at the back, but sometimes one tends to procrastinate doing things alone... If you’d be willing to move over, I can find someone to handle it immediately, it should be done before I leave!”