ROME, Aug 24: Juventus, who were demoted to the second division last month with a 17-point penalty for match-fixing, officially lodged their appeal with a civil court on Thursday, a move which could lead to further sanctions against them if unsuccessful.

It follows a fruitless appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), Italy's highest sports authority.

The civil court that Juve are turning to in a bid to be reinstated in Serie A is the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio, or TAR as it is known in Italy.

The TAR has the authority to overturn rulings made by sports federation bodies, but is normally reluctant to intervene in sporting issues.

The FIGC, who handed the Turin club their punishment, wanted to keep the matter in the hands of sports bodies rather than the criminal courts and fear the move could delay the start of the domestic season, which is due to begin on Sept 9-10.—AFP