Atalanta docked six points over match-fixing

Newly promoted Atalanta will start the 2011-12 Serie A season on -6 points due to their involvement in a match-fixing scandal, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on Friday.

A three-and-a-half year suspension for club captain Cristiano Doni was also upheld. Doni, 38, has retired from the sport.

Atalanta could now turn to the Italian Court of Arbitration for Sport (TNAS).

Former Atalanta star Giuseppe Signori, who also represented Lazio and Bologna, was banned from all football-related activity for the next five years for his part in the affair.

Serie B (second division) Ascoli have also had six points docked.

The scandal erupted at the end of last season amid revelations from an inquest launched last November by Cremona prosecutor Roberto Di Martino.

In total, 18 teams and 26 people were investigated in the scandal dubbed 'Calcioscommesse' (literally: betting on football).

Those investigated also risk criminal prosecution.

The Serie A season begins on August 28.