Air traffic controllers at a busy airport skipped work to play football, a court heard yesterday.
The 61 staff allegedly got their colleagues to cover for them while they competed in a mini-league against other workers, reports the Daily Mirror.
During that six-month period, there were 45 near misses in the skies above the airport, although officials denied the absenteeism was to blame.
Prosecutors said the controllers were caught after a tip-off from other staff at Linate airport in Milan, which is used by British Airways and budget airline easyJet.
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Police took photos of them playing football in 2000 when they should have been busy at their radar screens.
The 61 are all charged with fraud. The Milan trial continues.
