Italian football clubs get red card for finances
July 15, 2005
Rome - The Italian football federation (FIGC) on Friday denied Serie A clubs Messina and AC Turin a licence to compete in the top flight in the forthcoming season.
Both clubs have huge debts, which resulted in FIGC's finance committee (COAVISOC) making a recommendation that both clubs should not be allowed to play in Serie A. Serie B clubs Perugia and Salernitana, as well as eight Serie C clubs were also denied licenses.
FIGC's executive committee met on Friday to ratify the decisions.
All 12 clubs have three possibilities of appeal before the decision becomes final.
Messina, who finished seventh in the league last season and which has repaid its tax debt, is given good chances of being granted a license in the second instance.
Newly promoted Turin is also hoping to receive a license as they are said to have provided guarantees for €40 million.
Next Thursday the appeal court of the Italian national Olympic committee (CONI) will rule on the appeals. If they are denied a license there, the clubs could go to a civil court and thereafter to the highest court in Rome.
This process could last till mid-August and only once all the appeals have been finalised can the fixture lists for the season, which is due to start at the end of August, be drawn up. - Sapa-dpa
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