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Italian Basketball Team Under Investigation for Suspected Match-Fixing

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 7:38 GMT by Action News Jax

The Curious Case of the Italian Basketball Team and the Mystery of the Missing Points

A bizarre incident is unfolding in Italian basketball, leaving fans, analysts, and officials scratching their heads. The Virtus Segafredo Bologna, a leading team in Italy's Serie A league, appears to have intentionally manipulated scoring in a recent game against Pallacanestro Trieste, raising serious questions about potential match-fixing. While the full picture is still emerging, the situation centers around a series of unusually orchestrated plays in the final minutes of the game, specifically designed to ensure Trieste players scored, even when it made no strategic sense for Bologna.

The game, played on Sunday, ended with a final score of 122-116 in favor of Bologna. However, the final scoreline obscures a highly unusual pattern of play. In the last few minutes, with Bologna already comfortably ahead, they seemingly helped Trieste players score. Reports and viral video clips show Bologna players intentionally leaving Trieste players open, passing them the ball in scoring positions, and generally avoiding defensive pressure.

This wasn't just a passive letting-up of effort; it was active facilitation of opponent scoring. Several instances are highlighted: Bologna’s players would dribble out the clock, then pass to a Trieste player for an easy layup. In one particularly eyebrow-raising sequence, Bologna’s Alessandro Pajola passed the ball directly to a wide-open Leonardo Ndour for a dunk, despite having a clear path to the basket himself. Another moment showcased Bologna’s guard, Milos Teodosic, passing to a Trieste player for a three-pointer.

Why would a team deliberately help their opponent score?

This is the core of the mystery. Initial speculation points towards a potential attempt to manipulate the point differential – the difference between the points scored by each team. This difference is crucial for tie-breaking scenarios in league standings and can also influence betting odds.

As detailed in a report by Corriere dello Sport (linked within the Action News Jax article), the suspicion revolves around a specific bet placed on the game. It’s alleged that a significant wager was placed on Trieste covering a 5.5-point handicap. By ensuring Trieste scored enough points to stay within that margin, or even exceed it slightly, those who placed the bet would profit.

The Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) has launched a formal investigation into the game, acknowledging the “highly questionable” nature of the final minutes. They've requested detailed reports from the referees, the coaching staff, and the players involved. FIP President Giovanni Petrucci has stated the investigation will be thorough and swift, aiming to uncover any wrongdoing. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying that if confirmed, the actions would constitute a grave violation of sporting ethics.

The involvement of potentially organized crime is also being investigated. The Corriere dello Sport report suggests links to individuals previously implicated in match-fixing scandals in other sports, particularly football. This adds another layer of complexity and concern to the situation.

The Fallout and Responses

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has issued a statement expressing their shock and disbelief at the allegations. They pledged full cooperation with the investigation and denied any knowledge of intentional manipulation. Coach Luca Banchi initially defended his players, suggesting they were simply trying to create a more dynamic game and give younger players experience. However, this explanation has been widely dismissed given the calculated and consistent nature of the plays.

Milos Teodosic, the veteran guard involved in one of the most controversial passes, has remained largely silent. This silence has fueled speculation and further intensified scrutiny.

The incident has sparked outrage among fans and commentators alike, with many calling for severe penalties if wrongdoing is proven. The integrity of the league is at stake, and the FIP is under pressure to demonstrate a robust response. Possible punishments could range from fines and suspensions for players and coaches to points deductions for the team and even disqualification from the league.

The investigation is ongoing and details continue to emerge. This case highlights the growing threat of match-fixing in sports, fueled by the lucrative world of sports betting. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Virtus Segafredo Bologna intentionally manipulated the game and, if so, who was involved and what their motivations were. The story serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required to protect the fairness and integrity of athletic competition.