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Serie B suspended until further notice after clubs win appeal against Italian authorities

Bitter legal battles continue to spark havoc in Italy's second tier

Italian football has been plunged into chaos after an appeal court suspended Serie B until further notice.

A bitter legal row over whether the second tier has 19 or 22 teams has caused chaos.

And the battle will continue after a hearing ruled in favour of club Pro Vercelli during today’s appeal hearing.


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Italy's Serie B has been suspended until further notice

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Italy’s Serie B has been suspended until further notice

Earlier this month it was decided the league would continue with just 19 sides after the financial collapse of three clubs.

The money problems of Bari, Avellino and Cesena left the division short.

However, third tier outfits Siena, Novara, Catania, Ternana and Pro Vercelli all protested the move, arguing three clubs should be promoted.

The case has been ongoing for weeks but appeared to have been resolved once and for all when the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) judging panel declared their appeal was inadmissible.

Parma celebrate winning promotion from Serie B last season

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Parma celebrate winning promotion from Serie B last season

But on Friday Pro Vercelli got the all-clear from the TAR tribunal to suspend the CONI ruling.

And now the appeal panel has decided to suspend fixtures in both leagues until a final decision is made on October 9.

Serie B is already four games old and the ruling also means the start of the Serie C/Lega Pro campaign is delayed again.


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