Scandal Appeals see Lazio and Fiorentine reinstated back into Serie A
{{date|July 25, 2006}}

The results of the appeals in the massive [[Italy|Italian]] [[association football|football]] match-fixing scandal have today been announced by the Italian federal court. All four clubs involved saw their original punishments reduced.

[[Juventus FC|Juventus]] originally were relegated to {{w|Serie B}} with a thirty-point deduction. Their appeal still sees them in Italian football's second division, but with their points deduction almost halved to seventeen. They will still have their last two {{w|Scudetto|Scudettos}} stripped off them and the 2005-06 title will not be assigned to anyone. They will also have to play three games behind closed doors.

{{w|AC Milan}} will remain in [[Serie A]] and with their points deduction reduced from fifteen to just eight. They will play one match behind closed doors. However, importantly, they have been reinstated into the {{w|UEFA Champions League|Champions League}}, but will have to play in the third qualifying round.

{{w|Fiorentina}} and {{w|S.S. Lazio|Lazio}} have been reinstated into Serie A, having been demoted into Serie B originally. However, both clubs have had their points deductions increased, in Fiorentina's case the deduction was twelve points and Lazio will start the season with -11 points having originally had a seven-point penalty. Both clubs will not be allowed to play in European competitions next season and will have stadium bans. Fiorentina must play three games behind closed doors and for Lazio it's two.

== Other consequences ==
The appeals mean that of the original relegated trio, only {{w|U.S. Lecce|Lecce}} and {{w|Treviso F.B.C. 1993|Treviso}} have actually gone down, with {{w|F.C. Messina Peloro|Messina}} staying up to make way for Juve's demotion.

The European qualifying places have now been reworked.  {{w|Internazionale Milano F.C.|Internazionale}} and {{w|A.S. Roma|Roma}} will compete in the UEFA Champions League group stages, while {{w|A.C. ChievoVerona|Chievo}} will join AC Milan in the third qualifying round. {{w|U.S. Città di Palermo|Palermo}}, {{w|A.S. Livorno Calcio|Livorno}} and {{w|Parma F.C.|Parma}} will be in the {{w|UEFA Cup}} next season.

== Reactions ==
Juventus have stated that they willnot accept their fate and will now try to re-appeal, possibly via civil courts. Chairman Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said in a statement: ""We absolutely cannot accept this sentence. For this reason we have decided to push our case in every possible forum." 

Fiorentina could also appeal via the civil courts and owner Diego Della Valle stated: "It's the first step. We haven't done anything and we will go down every avenue to clear our name." 

Lazio chairman Claudio Lotito was also angry despite his club being restored into Serie A. He said: "I'm not satisfied at all. Lazio has not broken any rule. The fact that we will not be taking part in the Uefa Cup is not in line with the truth."

AC Milan were the only club to show any form of relief at their punishment being reduced. "For a club that asked for a complete annulment (of the tribunal's sentence) it cannot be considered a victory," said their lawyer Leandro Cantamessa. 

"But bearing in mind the tribunal's sentence, which was like being in front of a firing squad, this is much better." After being asked if the club would, like the other three, re-appeal in the civil course, he replied: "I don't know. We'll see. We are in the Champions League, otherwise I would not even be moderately happy".

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
__NOTOC__
* {{wikinews|title=Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina relegated from Italy's Serie A|date=July 14, 2006}}
== Sister links ==
{{sisters
|2006 Serie A scandal
}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5215178.stm
 |title=Punishments cut for Italian clubs
 |author=
 |pub=BBC Sport
 |date=July 25, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=405653&CPID=21&clid=128&lid=4161&title=Old+Lady+demoted,+duo+reprieved
 |title=Old Lady demoted, duo reprieved
 |author=Chris Stanton
 |pub=Sky Sports
 |date=July 25, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13534527,00.html
 |title=Mixed Results For Clubs
 |author=
 |pub=Sky News
 |date=July 25, 2006}}

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Football (soccer)]]
[[Category:Juventus F.C.]]
[[Category:AS Roma]]
[[Category:Serie A]]
[[Category:A.C. Milan]]
[[Category:FC Internazionale Milano]]

[[ja:伊スポーツ裁上訴審、サッカー4チームの処分軽減を判決]]
The results of the appeals in the massive Italian football match-fixing scandal have today been announced by the Italian federal court. All four clubs involved saw their original punishments reduced.

Juventus originally were relegated to Scudetto|Scudettos stripped off them and the 2005-06 title will not be assigned to anyone. They will also have to play three games behind closed doors.

UEFA Champions League|Champions League, but will have to play in the third qualifying round.

S.S. Lazio|Lazio have been reinstated into Serie A, having been demoted into Serie B originally. However, both clubs have had their points deductions increased, in Fiorentina's case the deduction was twelve points and Lazio will start the season with -11 points having originally had a seven-point penalty. Both clubs will not be allowed to play in European competitions next season and will have stadium bans. Fiorentina must play three games behind closed doors and for Lazio it's two.

The European qualifying places have now been reworked.  Internazionale and Roma will compete in the UEFA Champions League group stages, while Chievo will join AC Milan in the third qualifying round. Palermo, Livorno and Parma will be in the  next season.

Fiorentina could also appeal via the civil courts and owner Diego Della Valle stated: "It's the first step. We haven't done anything and we will go down every avenue to clear our name." 

Lazio chairman Claudio Lotito was also angry despite his club being restored into Serie A. He said: "I'm not satisfied at all. Lazio has not broken any rule. The fact that we will not be taking part in the Uefa Cup is not in line with the truth."

AC Milan were the only club to show any form of relief at their punishment being reduced. "For a club that asked for a complete annulment (of the tribunal's sentence) it cannot be considered a victory," said their lawyer Leandro Cantamessa. 

"But bearing in mind the tribunal's sentence, which was like being in front of a firing squad, this is much better." After being asked if the club would, like the other three, re-appeal in the civil course, he replied: "I don't know. We'll see. We are in the Champions League, otherwise I would not even be moderately happy".
Europe Italy Sports Football (soccer) Juventus F.C. AS Roma Serie A A.C. Milan FC Internazionale Milano