He had been investigated by authorities for allegedly commissioning Mauro Lauricella - son of notorious Sicilian mafioso Antonino Lauricella - to retrieve debts from the owner of a local nightclub. Furthermore, according to a wiretapped conversation, Miccoli described Falcone as "filth".

However, a tearful Miccoli was distraught at the allegations, saying: "I ask forgiveness of the whole city of Palermo, I ask forgiveness of my family, who brought me up with values and respect. I am a football player, I'm not a mafioso."

Miccoli had already agreed to leave Palermo before the furore, explaining that he wanted a new challenge.

"I'm looking for a two-year contract," he said in June. "I want to play for two more seasons and then I'll quit because I will no longer have the desire or physical condition to continue."

It is expected Miccoli - who was playing in Serie A until two months ago - will become the second-highest-paid player in the A-League behind fellow Italian Alessandro Del Piero.