Italian scandal appeals process starts July 22

The appeals process will begin July 22 for Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina and AC Milan.

AC Milan will appeal against a 15-point fine, while the others are challenging points fines and relegation to Serie B.

The appeals are unlikely to finish before UEFA's deadline for submissions to next season's European competitions.

Roma, Chievo and Palermo are primed to replace Juventus, Lazio and AC Milan in the Champions League.

The appeals will argue that the sports tribunal, which found the four clubs guilty, failed to give the accused clubs the means to defend themselves by banning witness and video evidence. The clubs also will argue their punishment is too harsh, with Juventus facing the prospect of not returning to Serie A for three years.

"I don't agree with those who argue that during the sports tribunal there were limitations in the defence rights," said Pierro Sandulli, president of the appeals court. "We are in a judicial situation that the clubs accepted and agreed to in the moment they signed up to be members of the Italian Football Federation."

While the clubs are appealing, prosecutor Stefano Palazzi will press for harsher punishments. Palazzi wants Juventus relegated to Serie C, and AC Milan demoted to Serie B with Fiorentina and Lazio, with stiffer points reductions.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.