"Both Suazo and Massimo Moratti said that a contract had already been signed," said Mario Stagliano, the former vice-president of FIGC's investigative committee.

"If that is the case, then even if it was torn up later, the crime was admitted by both parties and so a punishment is applicable.

"According to the regulations, the player and the President must be suspended or face some form of sanction. The maximum ban is six months."

Yesterday, AC Milan officially pulled out of the agreement with Cagliari because of that personal contract, but the matter could well not be over with yet.