(ANSA) - The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) drew up match calenders for the 2005-6 Serie A and B championships on Tuesday despite a last-minute court bid by a demoted club to halt the proceedings.
FIGC's move came on the back of a ruling by the TAR regional court to suspend a Genoa's civil judge's order last week to freeze the drawing up of match calendars pending his decision on a suit filed by the Genoa soccer club.
At a hearing on Tuesday, the Genoa judge said he would need time to consider the case, giving no indication of when he would decide.
FIGC's lawyers argue that TAR's decision means the football season can begin as scheduled on August 28. A governmental decree in 2003 decided that soccer disputes that end up in the civil courts must go directly to the Lazio TAR in Rome and then, if necessary, move to Italy's highest administrative court, the Council of State.
The Lazio court last Friday ruled in favour of a plea presented by Serie C1 Chairman Mario Macalli, ordering FIGC to proceed as scheduled and waiving the Genoa judge's order. Genoa's lawyers argue, however, that the suspension order is still valid pending a definitive ruling. They claim that the Football League and FIGC will be held responsible for financial losses suffered by Genoa if it is reinstated.
The club turned to the civil court after the federation's disciplinary board relegated the club to the third division for match-fixing. Genoa came top of Serie B last season and was due for promotion to the top divisions. TAR's ruling was a victory for FIGC President Franco Carraro who complained that delaying the start of the season would have breached countless national and international rules and commitments.
Carraro said he had spoken to UEFA Chairman Joseph Blatter on Tuesday, reassuring him that the season would begin on schedule.
He admitted that the Genoa issue was "upsetting" but stressed that FIGC had acted fairly, abiding by sporting regulations. A FIGC council meeting on Tuesday decided that Ascoli and Treviso will replace Genoa and Torino in Serie A. Torino was sent down to Serie B because club finances did not meet approval.
Earlier this month Lazio's TAR upheld FIGC's decision to dump Torino from the top-flight.
The following teams will play in the top divisions next season:
Serie A - Ascoli, Cagliari, Chievo, Empoli, Fiorentina, Inter, Juventus, Lazio, Lecce, Livorno, Messina, Milan, Palermo, Parma, Reggina, Roma, Sampdoria, Siena, Treviso, Udinese.
Serie B - Albinoleffe, Arezzo, Atalanta, Avellino, Bari, Bologna, Brescia, Catania, Catanzaro, Cesena, Cremonese, Crotone, Mantova, Modena, Pescara, Piacenza, Rimini, Ternana, Torino, Triestina, Verona, Vicenza.
