Di Michele accepts FIGC ban

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has banned Torino FC's new Italian international forward David Di Michele for three months for illegal betting.

Additional fine
The former US Città di Palermo player, who joined Torino earlier this month, presented a plea bargain alongside the other three players involved - Thomas Manfredini of Atalanta BC, Massimo Margiotta of Frosinone Calcio and Vincenzo Sommese of Mantova Calcio - to the FIGC disciplinary commission. Manfredini, like Di Michele, was banned for three months, Margiotta for four months and Sommese for five months and 20 days. Di Michele was also fined €20,000.

Illegal betting
The four players were charged with violating Article 5 of the sporting code - placing bets, either personally or through other persons, on FIGC events - while Sommese was also punished for betting on matches organised by UEFA and FIFA. Italian players were forbidden from betting on any match worldwide in 2005. The 31-year-old Di Michele, who will miss the first nine Serie A games because of the ban, has been capped six times by Italy.