Juve stadium ban enforced

Juventus will play Sunday's Serie A game at home to Atalanta behind closed doors after they lost an appeal against a stadium ban, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said. The ban was originally handed down by the Italian League after Juve supporters...

Juventus will play Sunday's Serie A game at home to Atalanta behind closed doors after they lost an appeal against a stadium ban, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said.

The ban was originally handed down by the Italian League after Juve supporters racially abused Inter striker Mario Balotelli in a 1-1 draw in Turin last month.

The club won a temporary injunction against the sanction but CONI said in a statement it had rejected their appeal after examining further evidence.

Juve confirmed on their website (www.juventus.com) that Sunday's game with Atalanta was the match affected.

Third-placed Juve are already out of the title race, with leaders Inter likely to wrap up the scudetto this weekend.

Claudio Ranieri's side are only three points above fourth-placed Fiorentina with three games left as they chase the third automatic Champions League berth.

Fourth place seals a spot in the Champions League qualifying round.

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