MATCH-FIX SCANDAL CLUBS FACE D-DAY
ITALY'S shamed clubs will learn their fate today when the result of appeals against match-fixing sentences is announced.
Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina and AC Milan appealed immediately after they were hammered by a federal court.
Days after Italy lifted the World Cup, Juve, Lazio and Fiorentina were relegated to Serie B with points penalties and Milan were docked 15 points from the start of next season.
A court began hearing the appeals in Rome yesterday and the verdict will be revealed tonight.
Federal prosecutor Stefano Palazzi is demanding even harsher sentences but Juve's lawyer, Cesare Zaccone, called for leniency.
According to Palazzi, Juve should have been sent down to Serie C with Milan joining Lazio and Fiorentina in B
But Zaccone insisted the punishment meted out was bound to have "devastating consequences" on the finances of Juventus, who are floated on the Milan stock exchange.
He said: "Our appeal intends for us to remain in Serie A."
UEFA are still waiting for Italy's list of entries for European competitions next season.
The deadline is tomorrow, so the appeal tribunal is eager to reach their decision tonight.
Once it is announced, football fans in Italy can finally start looking forward to the season after a summer in which their national team's World Cup victory was only half the story.
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