An Italian court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by two former top officials of Juventus who were found guilty of sporting fraud by a soccer tribunal which relegated the club to the second division.
Legal sources said the Lazio regional court had decided not to hear appeals by former Juve general manager Luciano Moggi or ex-chief executive Antonio Giraudo against their bans and fines in the case.
Juventus (JUVE.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) announced on Monday that it would also appeal to the Lazio court over its relegation, something which could further delay the start of Italy's soccer season which is due to kick off on September 10.
Both Moggi and Giraudo hoped to challenge their sports tribunal conviction in the civil court.
The soccer tribunal found them guilty of influencing the appointment of referees on behalf of the club, who won the Italian championship in the last two years.
Juve were stripped of both titles. Four other Serie A teams were penalised over the affair but not as harshly as Juventus and were allowed to remain in the top league.