As the London Olympics draws closer, Robert Hume recalls a time when the games weren’t so PC

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has described the latest match-fixing scandal to hit Italy as "devastating" and believes it further tarnishes the image of Italian football.

SPANISH cyclist Alejandro Valverde has had his appeal against a worldwide two-year doping ban dismissed by Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court.

Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde has had his appeal against a worldwide two-year doping ban dismissed by Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court.

The planned strike for this weekend's Serie A matches has been called off after the players' union (AIC) and Lega Serie A reached an agreement.

FIORENTINA striker Adrian Mutu is “worried but optimistic” following the announcement of his positive drug test, according to his agent.

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has tested positive for a banned substance, the Italian Olympic Committee have announced.

WITH his Italian side top of Group 8, and needing just one point from their last two games to secure qualification for next year’s World Cup finals, you would think Marcello Lippi would be full of the joys of life right now. You would be wrong.

Fabio Cannavaro is to join the Italy squad in Coverciano as originally planned on Sunday despite being under the cloud of drug test controversy.

ITALIAN captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a doping test.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola insists he is unconcerned by the decision of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) to reopen the case against him over alleged drug use during his time as a player at Brescia.

Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco has been banned from the sport for two years after admitting to doping allegations at this year's Tour de France.

Fans of six Serie A clubs have been banned from travelling to their respective away games on November 24-25 in the wake of Sunday’s football-related violence.

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is glad to be at the Azzurri’s training base and away from the violent scenes which have left him “angry and upset” with the state of the national game.

Italian sports minister Giovanna Melandri has called for club football to be halted for several weeks in order to crack down on violence in the sport.

The policeman who accidentally shot and killed a Lazio fan in Italy yesterday has spoken of his regret over the incident.

Italian football is facing fresh crisis after a Lazio fan was shot dead by police yesterday.

A police officer accidentally shot and killed an Italian football fan today, during a clash between Lazio and Juventus supporters.

ITALIAN golfer Alessandro Pissilli has tested positive for the use of a banned substance.

Italian golfer Alessandro Pissilli has tested positive for the use of a banned substance.

Thousands of mourners flocked to a cathedral in the Sicilian city of Catania today for the funeral of a policeman whose death in a football riot has shocked Italy and prompted calls for new measures to curb stadium violence.

JUVENTUS have lodged an appeal with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) against the sanctions imposed on the club for their part in Serie A’s match-fixing scandal.

The worldwide cycling community will await the results of today’s post-mortem following the sudden death of the great Italian Marco Pantani.

Italian sport is in shock following the death of legendary cyclist Marco Pantani.

Marco Pantani has been banned for eight months following a drugs investigation.

Jaap Stam has failed a counter-analysis drug test, the Italian Olympic Committee CONI has confirmed.

Lazio defender Jaap Stam has tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone.

Edgar Davids will miss Holland's World Cup match against Ireland, after he was banned for five months for taking the banned steroid nandrolone.

The Italian Olympic Committee has recommended an eight-month ban for Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids after he was found guilty of taking banned substances.

Professional cycling has been suspended in Italy from June 18 by the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI).

Frank de Boer has confirmed he failed a drugs test after a Uefa Cup match last month.

Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids was ‘‘shocked’’ to learn he had failed a routine drugs test.