Lazio conciliation fails Wednesday 23 August, 2006
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Lazio could also take further legal action after their conciliation with the FIGC failed, while Juventus warn they won’t be cowed by the threat of sanctions.
The Calciopoli scandal rumbles on as the six clubs punished as part of the match-fixing trial – Juve, Fiorentina, Lazio, Milan, Reggina and Arezzo – continue their legal battles to have the penalties reduced.
After the Bianconeri, Lazio’s conciliation meeting with the Federation has also failed to find a solution, so they’ll go to the CONI arbitration.
The Biancocelesti are ordered to begin the next Serie A season with an 11-point handicap, already a vast improvement from their original verdict of demotion.
“We will ask for the elimination of all the sanctions put on this club for the current season,” explained lawyer Ugo Longo. “There are all the elements needed for Lazio to start a campaign without a handicap or suspension.”
Juventus also failed in their conciliation this week and hinted at plans to go to the Lazio TAR tribunal or even the European Court of Justice to have their Serie A status restored. They currently begin the campaign in Serie B with a 17-point penalty.
The FIGC and FIFA have reacted angrily to the suggestion, which could delay the start of the season planned for September 9 and 10.
The Federation has threatened to dock even more points if any club goes to the civil courts, but FIFA today confirmed they would not punish the FIGC. The situation will be “monitored carefully” by spokesman Andreas Herren and further decisions may be taken, should the circumstances require them.
Juventus responded with a statement from their lawyer, Riccardo Montanaro. “We are not taking any illegal steps. If we go to the TAR, it is because the Italian law allows it.”
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