Parma deducted five points as player is banned for potential match-fixing

Parma will start the 2018-19 Serie A season with a five-point deduction as a result of player Emanuele Calaio - who has received a two-year ban - sending "suspicious" messages to Spezia players last term in what has been deemed attempted match-fixing.

The 36-year-old allegedly sent messages "eliciting a reduced effort" to Spezia players Filippo De Col and Claudio Terzi ahead of the game between the two sides on May 18, with Parma going on to win the match 2-0 and thus secure promotion to Serie A.

Parma were relegated to Serie D after financial problems sent them bankrupt in 2015, but return to the top flight following three consecutive promotions.

The sanction could well bring about the end of Calaio's career given his age, whilst it will give Parma a mountain to climb as they attempt to stave off the threat of relegation.

The Italian side had originally dismissed concerns, insisting the masseges "don't contain any sort of irregularity or malice," but they have now been punished alongside Calaio owing to their responsibility for the player.