Domenico Criscito vows to clear name amid match-fixing investigation

Defender Domenico Criscito has protested his innocence and has vowed to clear his name after being implicated in a match-fixing scandal.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Zenit St Petersburg, was his country's first choice left-back before he was dropped from their Euro 2012 squad earlier today due to suspicions over his part in corrupt activity.

The player had been questioned by police at Italy's training camp in Florence over alleged corruption during his time at Genoa between 2008 until 2011.

He told RTL: "[Match-fixing] is not something I would do. Fortunately, I don't need money, 20, 30 or 40,000 euros, whatever it was, but I don't need money.

"I do a job that I've always dreamed of doing since I was young and I would not mess it up for stupid acts.

"It hurts that this has happened before the [Euro 2012 squad] list but I'm sure that I will come out stronger."

Earlier in the day, Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto were arrested over allegations of "criminal association and sporting fraud".