Genoa’s appeal could delay Serie A kickoff

Italian court has ordered that the football season schedule should not be finalized until all appeals have been heard over Genoa's demotion from Serie A to the third division for alleged match-fixing. "A delay is impossible because it would constitute a violation of the rules," FIGC president Franco Carraro told the press. "It would also disregard fans throughout all of Italy, disrupt the teams, cause serious financial problems for clubs and cause serious repercussions for clubs involved in international play and for the national team." It could be the forth consecutive season that Serie A opening is delayed. In 2002, problems with television rights held up the opening matches by two weeks. In 2003, financial problems and a boycott by clubs over a new format delayed the Serie B start, while last year the opening was pushed back two weeks because of the Olympics and World Cup qualifying matches.

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