The Italian football federation rejected a three-month ban yesterday for Juventus coach Antonio Conte, throwing out a proposed plea bargain for match-fixing as Italy’s betting scandal widens.

Conte had originally denied allegations of failing to report match-fixing in two games when he was coach of Siena in the 2010-2011 season. He then proposed a deal with prosecutors for a three-month ban, hoping to avoid a jail sentence.

A disciplinary committee hearing yesterday rejected the attempted deal made with federation prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, leaving Conte facing either a longer ban or a tough sporting trial. The ruling throws Conte’s return to the Juventus sidelines into doubt, leaving the Serie A team in a critical situation.

The matches in question, which took place when Siena were in Serie B, were against Novara and Albinoleffe.

The fall-out of the so-called “Calcioscommesse” investigation has been felt since last year with several high-profile names implicated.

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