Italian football faces moment of justice

AN event without precedent in world football begins today, when the Olympic Stadium in Rome is turned into a court of justice.

This is the moment when the CAF, the appeals committee of the Italian Football Federation, sits in judgment on the four clubs and 26 individuals accused of involvement in the biggest corruption scandal in football history.

Over the next week, Cesare Ruperto, former president of the Constitutional Court, will preside over hearings that will decide the future of Italian football. Judgment will be swift. It is expected that penalties will be announced by July 9, the day of the World Cup final. Any appeals are due to be heard by July 20, in time for decisions on which Italian clubs will compete in Europe next season.