Juventus retain Italian crown

Published May 15, 2006

MILAN, May 14: Juventus won their 29th Italian league title with a 2-0 final day victory over Reggina on Sunday, assuring the club of a second successive 'scudetto'.

Fabio Capello's side finished the season three points ahead of second-placed AC Milan who won 2-1 at home to AS Roma.

Fiorentina's 2-0 win over Chievo assured the Florence club of fourth place and a spot in the qualifying round of next season's Champions League along with third-placed Inter Milan.

Juve and Milan will go straight into the group stage of the Champions League -- unless ongoing match-fixing investigations result in a change to the final table.

Champions Juve are facing a series of investigations into allegations of match-fixing and, if found guilty, could be stripped of their last two titles and demoted to Serie B.

The scandal which has rocked Italian football has focused on telephone intercepts from last season featuring discussions about refereeing appointments between Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and football federation officials.

Moggi appeared live on television shortly after the game to announce he was resigning from his position with the club.

Fans made their feelings on the affair known on Sunday with sarcastic slogans and attacks on Juventus and the federation displayed on banners at stadiums across Italy.

“Juve are magic -- watch them disappear from Serie A”, read one banner raised by Inter Milan fans watching their side's 2-2 draw at Cagliari.Just before kick-off, Milan owner and outgoing Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called for his club, who have finished second to Juve in the last two seasons, to be awarded the two titles.

A 23rd minute goal from French forward David Trezeguet put Juventus on their way and Alessandro Del Piero made sure of the win in injury time.

Milan's only hope of winning the title depended on Juve losing but Carlo Ancelotti's side at least ended the season with a win.

Brazilian Kaka put Milan ahead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute before Roma drew level with a header from French defender Philippe Mexes in the 33rd minute.

All three relegation spots had already been decided before the final day with Treviso, Lecce and Messina heading into Serie B.

Roma, Lazio and Chievo will be Italy's representatives in the UEFA Cup next season.—Reuters

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