Suspended Italian player ends protest over ban

ROME (AP) -- An Italian player who was given a three-year suspension in a match-fixing scandal has ended his four-day protest and unchained himself from the gate of the Italian Football Federation's headquarters in Rome.

Shaded from the sun by an umbrella and sitting in a chair, Siena player Emanuele Pesoli began his protest and a hunger strike on Saturday.

The 32-year-old defender ate for the first time on Wednesday morning and ended his protest after a phone call from FIGC Vice President Demetrio Albertini. Pesoli will meet FIGC President Giancarlo Abete on Friday.

FIGC announced its verdicts in the scandal last week. Among those suspended was Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who received a 10-month ban.

Pesoli denied any wrongdoing and started his protest with the aim of meeting with his accusers face-to-face.

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