July 25th, 1998: Czech coach Zdenek Zeman, at the time coach of AS Roma, tells Italian weekly, L'Espresso that doping practises are widespread in Italian football.

August 9th, 1998: Turin state prosecutor Raffaele Guariniello opens an enquiry, summoning Zeman for a "judicial interrogation".

August 14th, 1998: Alessandro Del Piero is the first of many players to be summoned by prosecutor Guariniello.

August 29th, 1998: Juventus FC officially becomes involved with the seizure of the club's medical records.

September 4th, 1998: The enquiry throws up grave irregularities at the CONI doping lab of Acqua Acetosa, the lab used to test footballers' samples. As a result, the lab eventually has its licence revoked by the IOC, opening up again only after a two year break.

January 31st, 2002: After four years of complex investigations, featuring the contrasting evidence of medical experts, the so-called "Processo Juve" or Juventus Trial begins in Turin. Charged with sporting fraud and systematic doping practises are the Juventus club doctor, Ricardo Agricola, and club chairman, Antonio Giraudo.

July 21st, 2003: Five Juventus players, Alessandro Del Piero, Alessandro Birindelli, Alessio Tacchinardi, Gianluca Pessotto and Antonio Conte testify in a memorable sitting during which presiding Judge Giuseppe Casalbore complains about their reticence.

October 25th, 2004: The prosecution wraps up its case, asking for a sentence of three years and two months for Dr Agricola and two years and one month for Mr Giraudo.

November 26th, 2004: Judge Casalbore delivers his verdict, acquitting Antonio Giraudo but sentencing Dr Agricola to a suspended 22-month prison term as well as fining him €2,000.00.