Lazio captain Mauri's ban extended to nine months

Rome: Italy's football federation has extended a ban handed out to Lazio captain Stefano Mauri for his part in a match-fixing scandal from six to nine months.

Mauri was banned for six months in early August for failing to report match-fixing in the Serie A game between Lecce-Lazio in May 2011.

Mauri and his club appealed, as did prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, who had asked for a four-and-a-half-year suspension.

Palazzi's appeal was partly accepted on Wednesday, while Lazio's fine was increased from 40,000 euros ($53,000) to 50,000 ($68,000). At least 50 people have been arrested in Italy for match-fixing since mid-2011, with matches under investigation by prosecutors in Cremona, Bari and Naples.