Beleaguered Italian football chiefs set date for new calendar

The Italian football federation (FIGC) said the fixture lists for the new football season will be released on August 16, just 12 days before the start of the new campaign.

The Italian football federation (FIGC) said the fixture lists for the new football season will be released on August 16, just 12 days before the start of the new campaign.

The FIGC were due to publish the calendars for Serie A, B and C this week but were prevented from doing so because of disgraced club Genoa's ongoing legal battle.

Genoa, who are appealing against their demotion from Serie A to the third division for match-fixing, took their case to a civil court which blocked the release of the new fixture lists.

But on Friday the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) ruled that the civil court had no jurisdiction over sporting affairs and gave the FIGC the go-ahead to release the calendars.

However, the civil court fighting Genoa's corner are to discuss the matter with the FIGC next Tuesday - the same day the new fixtures are set to be published - which could result in further chaos.

Lawyer for Genoa football club Franco Coppi was fuming over the TAR's decision to back the FIGC.

"This decision created a serious conflict between sport and the law courts," he said.

"If the FIGC draw up the calendars it will have to suffer the consequences."