Juve go to civil courts

Juventus have lodged an appeal with the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) in Lazio in a last-ditch attempt to overturn the punishments awarded to them for their part in the Serie A match-fixing scandal.

A decision has been made to take the final step open to Juve on the country’s judicial ladder, even though that could lead to the club being handed extra sanctions by Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

The FIGC could also be punished by FIFA because taking a matter to a civil court is against the world governing body’s rules.

The federation could be suspended and that in turn could lead to the exclusion of Italian clubs and the national team from international competitions.

Juve have been stripped of their last two Serie A titles and demoted to the second division, where they will start the new season with a 17-point deduction.