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The match fixing scandal that is rocking Italian football could have implications across the rest of Europe. Four top clubs (Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina) face charges of rigging matches at a special sports tribunal. If found guilty, they could be relegated and would have to offload top players to balance their books. A glut of top names could come on the transfer market at knockdown prices. The fire sale could, for example, include a number of top Italian players such as Luca Toni and Alessandro Nesta, but also David Trezeguet and Patrick Viera of France and Kaká, Dida and Emerson of Brazil. The result would be a buyer's market, with supply far outstripping demand, and a sharp fall in transfer fees that could impact football finances generally. However, it is possible that only Juve will be relegated with the other clubs facing penalties such as points deductions and exclusion from European competitions.
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