Napoli have had a two-point deduction for alleged involvement in match-fixing overturned on appeal, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has confirmed.
The Serie A club were deducted two points on December 18 for being “objectively responsible” for the actions of former goalkeeper Matteo Gianello, who attempted to fix a match against Sampdoria in 2010.
The FIGC’s appeal court has also overturned the six-month bans issued to defenders Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava for failing to report an approach from Gianello.
The verdict sees Napoli close to within three points of league leaders Juventus as they join Lazio in joint second place with 42 points.
Cannavaro and Grava are now available for selection against Fiorentina on Sunday.
A statement published on the FIGC’s official website also confirmed that an initial fine of €70,000 issued to the club had been reduced.
It read: “The two penalty points issued to Napoli have been revoked, but the club will pay a fine of 50,000 euros.
“There are acquittals for Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava, while the disqualification of Matteo Gianello has been reduced from three years and three months to one year and nine months. These are the decisions of the Federal Court of Justice following appeals against the judgments made by the Naples branch of the disciplinary committee on match-fixing.”
The original verdict saw Napoli fall 10 points shy of Italian champions Juventus, but Walter Mazzarri’s team continued to register good results on the pitch and the club had closed the gap to five points before yesterday’s announcement.
Quoted in the Gazzetta dello Sport, club lawyer Mattia Grassani told reporters: “It’s a sensational victory and a really important result.
“Above all, justice has been done and what was unjustly taken from Napoli and its fans has been returned.
“It was a joy to inform president (Aurelio) De Laurentiis after I received the official report from the appeal court.
“This decision closes a really sad story for which Napoli and its players paid a very high price regardless.”