Antonio Conte cleared in 2011 match-fixing probe ahead of Chelsea arrival

Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been cleared of anything underhand in a match fixing scandal from 2011 while in charge of Italian side Siena. Conte, who will take over at Stamford Bridge after Italy's Euro 2016 campaign, had been accused of failing to report attempts to fix a Serie B match in the 2010-11 season.

The 46-year-old Italian coach initially served a ban in connection with the case in 2012 but prosecutors had recommended an additional suspended six-month sentence and a €8,000 fine as part of the ongoing Scommessopoli case.

Judge Pierpaolo Beluzzi has however ruled accusations of sporting fraud were baseless. "It was a full acquittal. What matters is that for him, this story is over," said Conte's lawyer Francesco Arata after the ruling was read out," Reuters report. "We talked to Conte on the phone and he was very happy."

Conte, who has denied any wrongdoing, served a four-month ban while in charge of Juventus during the 2012-13 for failing to report match-fixing at Siena. The match concerned was the 2-2 draw between Siena and Novara in May 2011 which ended in a 2-2 draw. Conte will replace interim manager Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge in July.