Suspicions of match-fixing after Italian football team conceded 8 own goals in last 10 minutes

Italian football has been hit by a scandal involving a team that scored eight own goals in the last 10 minutes of a regional cup match on their way to a 14-3 defeat. The Italian federation (FIGC) is set to launch an investigation into the Coppa Sicilia match between Borgata Terrenove and Bagheria, the final game in a three-team group which also featured Partinicaudace.

All three sides play in Prima Categoria, the eighth tier of the league. Bagheria, needing a point to qualify, were 4-3 behind with 10 minutes to play in Wednesday's game when Borgata hit two goals in quick succession.



Borgata players then watched in bewilderment as their opponents scored one own goal after the other, shared between three players. The result meant Terrenove qualified on goal difference ahead of Partinicaudace. "It had been a real contest up to a certain point then Bagheria staged a farce," Borgata coach Ignazio Chianetta said.

"Their captain told me they preferred us to qualify rather than Partinicaudace. Partinicaudace coach Giovanni Cammarata said: "I can guarantee there was no agreement between us and Bagheria. I can't try to understand a motive for these eight own goals. It has nothing to do with football and I hope the FIGC investigates."