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ROME - Cesare Prandelli says he would have no problem pulling Italyout of the European Championships, which start in a week's time, ifthat decision was taken to avoid tarnishing the image of the game. Italy is being dragged through the mire once again due to amatch-fixing scandal, in which first choice left-back DomenicoCriscito was caught up leading to Prandelli ditching him from histournament squad. Since then a pair of Juventus players have also been implicatedwith centre-back Leonardo Bonucci being accused by a formerteam-mate of complicity in match-fixing when at Bari. And now it is goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who is suspected ofillegal betting as reports have emerged that he spent 1.5 millioneuros (S$2.4 million) over an eight-month period in a tobacco shopin Parma where you can place bets on football. Neither player was named in the investigation by the Cremona publicprosecutor, who issued a search warrant against Criscito and anarrest warrant against Lazio captain Stefano Mauri amongst severalothers. But a document has been leaked to the press in which the Turinpublic prosecutor informs his counterpart in Cremona about Buffon'sexpenses. Buffon allegedly made 14 different payments ranging from50,000-euros to 200,000-euros and totalling 1.585 million euros toMassimo Alfieri, the owner of the tobacco shop. The document also explains that Buffon's lawyer refused to answerquestions about the reasons for such payments, citing the player'sprivacy as justification. It has led to rumours that Italy may lose players from the nationalsquad if further leaks or investigations implicate Bonucci andBuffon, or indeed other players, in a more concrete manner. And if that is the case, Prandelli would have no qualms about histeam being removed from Euro 2012. "If it is decided that for the good of football the national teamshould not go to the Euros then that wouldn't be a problem," hetold RaiSport. "As far as I'm concerned it wouldn't be a problem, there are moreimportant things. "I don't like crusades, I like meetings rather than taking aposition without thinking about the repercussions. "I would like to only be talking about football but what ishappening is forcing me to do otherwise. "As for the players, I repeat that those who are involved will notgo to the Euros. "But then if we want to start a crusade let's do so," he addedsarcastically. But Prandelli was quick to defend his players, reminding everyonethat they were not among those named in the Cremona publicprosecutor's investigation. "The Juventus players, until it is otherwise proved, have not beensubject to any type of notification of investigation (similar to anarrest warrant). "(Buffon) is very strong, he has great character and manages tohide uneasy moments. "But despite this, difficult moments like this one can still weighon a person like him, even the strongest can be very sensitive." Italy play their one and only warm-up match on Friday againstRussia in Luxembourg before heading to their Krakow tournament basein Poland on Tuesday. They will play world champions Spain, Ireland and Croatia in GroupC. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Custom Spiral Staircases Manufacturer , Sliding Glass Shower Doors Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Solid Timber Door.
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