Juve in Serie B (-17)
Lazio, Fiorentina reprieved<br>Milan to start with -8... but qualify for Champions League
The relegation of Juventus to Serie B for their role in a match-fixing scandal was confirmed by an Italian soccer appeal court yesterday but Lazio and Fiorentina received a reprieve and will stay in Serie A.
Milan will also remain in the top flight as decided previously with a smaller number of points deducted (minus eight) rather than minus 15. They will also be entered for the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Juve did receive some clemency with the appeals court reducing the penalty points they start next season with from minus 30 to minus 17.
The decision to revoke the last two Italian league titles won by Juventus in 2005 and 2006 was confirmed by the appeals court although no decision has yet been made on who will be declared champions for those two seasons.
While not the kind of change the Turin club had hoped for, the reduction does give them a chance to push for promotion back to the top flight Serie A next season.
The court overturned a tribunal's decision to relegate Fiorentina and Lazio, allowing them to stay in Serie A next season but with a heavy penalty.
Fiorentina will start the new season with minus 19 points and Lazio with minus 11 points. Milan's penalty points for next season were reduced from minus 15 to minus 8 and the retrospective punishment on last season's points tally was reduced from minus 44 to minus 30.
Italy's two teams automatically entered in the Champions League next season will be Inter and Roma. Milan and Chievo will play in the qualification round.
Civil courts appeal
Juventus will appeal the decision to relegate the team to Serie B through a civil court if needed. News agency Ansa quoted Cesare Zaccone as calling the decision "incredible."
Last night the team lawyer said the club would appeal to both sporting tribunals as well as civil courts if necessary.
Meanwhile, UEFA has extended the deadline for the submission of the names of Italian clubs eligible to take part in 2006-07 competitions until today.
European soccer's governing body said in a statement issued from their headquarters at Nyon yesterday that it had received a letter from the Italian FA (FIGC) asking UEFA for an extension of one day from the original deadline.
"After having analysed the request, UEFA's Emergency Panel decided to grant the requested extraordinary extension of the deadline," UEFA said in a statement.
"The revised deadline is therefore Wednesday, July 26, 2006."
The names of the Italian clubs are required by UEFA before the seedings can be completed for Friday's draws for the Champions League third qualifying round and UEFA Cup second qualifying round.
Yesterday's Decisions
Juventus
Relegated to Serie B
2005 and 2006 Serie A titles revoked
To start 2006/07 on minus 17 points
Three matches behind closed doors
120,000 euros fine
Fiorentina
Penalised 30 points for 2005/06
To start 2006/07 on minus 19 points
Three matches behind closed doors
120,000 euros fine
Lazio
Penalised 30 points for 2005/06
To start 2006/07 on minus 11 points
Two matches behind closed doors
120,000 euros fine
Milan
Penalised 30 points for 2005/06
To start 2006/07 on minus 8 points