(ANSA) - Rome, September 2 - Gennaro Gattuso was cleared
Tuesday of betting charges in a criminal probe into
betting-related match-fixing.
A preliminary investigations judge ruled that the former AC
Milan and Italy midfielder may have placed bets before it became
illegal for soccer players to do so.
Gattuso, a member of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad,
has strenuously denied the allegations, saying he would kill
himself if it were proved otherwise.
"I have never, ever had the faintest thought of fixing a
match. If such evidence emerges, I'm ready to go into the square
- I know I'm saying something serious - and kill myself,"
Gattuso told SkySport in December.
"Those who know me know that I don't like to lose even the
smallest match, not even ones with my friends".
Gattuso, who won two Champions League titles and two Serie
A crowns during his 1999-2012 stint with Milan, has been out of
work since being sacked as then second-tier Palermo's coach in
September.
Soccer: Gattuso cleared in betting probe
Ex-Italy midfielder 'may have betted before it was illegal'