On Monday, Siena had their first plea bargain rejected in the trial of the latest Italian betting scandal, or, as it's commonly being called, calcioscommesse. The first deal, for a five-point penalty and pay a €40,000 fine, was rejected by the judges for not being sufficient for the crime. Then Siena proposed a six-point penalty and €100,000 fine, which was accepted.

And so the robur, in punishment for individuals having knowledge of sporting fraud, will begin their second season in Serie A with negative six points. Last season, Siena finished 14th, with 44 points. 44 - 6 would have left them with 38 points, still two points clear of Lecce and relegation.

Should Sampdoria, Torino or Pescara suffer as much as Cesena last season, or Bari the one before that, Siena won't have to worry much. And then there's Atalanta last year, who took a deduction in points and still managed to finish 12th. Take heart, Siena supporters!