Cannavaro handed prison sentence for swimming

Italy World Cup-winning captain and Guangzhou Evergrande coach Fabio Cannavaro has been slapped with a 10-month jail term for taking a swim.

Fabio Cannavaro took a costly dip (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Cannavaro, who was investigated for tax evasion, took a dip in his pool, but had been previously ordered to stay off the property by authorities after being accused of irregularities associated to planning permissions.

The 41-year-old Italian has appealed the sentence, which has subsequently been suspended pending further investigation.

Cannavaro, who lifted the World Cup trophy in 2006, was with his wife, Daniela Arenoso, at the property, and both she and his brother, Paolo, have also been handed custodial sentences.

Italy beat Australia at that tournament, the Socceroos' first World Cup since 1974, after another Fabio, Fabio Grosso, won a controversial late penalty to dump the Socceroos out of the tournament in the Round of 16.

Guangzhou Evergrande played out a 1-0 home win against FC Seoul last night in the AFC Champions League, with Cannavaro at the helm. It's not yet clear how the sentence, if upheld, will affect his ability to maintan his head coach's role at the club.