Italian federation deny Juventus talks
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 10:46The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have denied reports they are holding talks with Juventus to prevent the Turin-based side from taking their appeal to the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio (TAR).
Juve were relegated to Serie B and docked 17 points by the FIGC from the start of next season for their part in the country's match-fixing scandal.
An appeal against the sanctions was thrown out by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) last week and Juve instead vowed to take further action by going out of the sporting jurisdiction and to the TAR.
This provoked an angry reaction from FIFA, who threatened to exclude Italian sides from European competition and disqualify Italy from the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign if the FIGC did not intervene.
The FIGC warned more sanctions would be imposed if Juventus did indeed turn to the TAR, with reports on Tuesday suggested the two parties had once again sat around the table to find a compromise.
However, FIGC interim president Guido Rossi has denied this, saying: 'There have not been any negotiations between the FIGC and Juventus.
'The position of the FIGC remains the same as it was with all of the other clubs.
'Our legal teams are preparing the reply to Juventus' appeal, which will be discussed in front of the TAR this coming Friday.'
