Italian court rejects Genoa appeal

Relegation penalty
Genoa were last month found guilty of match-fixing and relegated to the bottom of last season's Serie B table, consequently beginning the forthcoming campaign in Serie C1 with a three-point deduction.

Police inquiry
The Rossoblù had secured their return to Italy's top flight after a ten-year absence with a 3-2 victory against AC Venezia on the last day of the 2004/05 season. However, an inquiry into the conduct of officials from both clubs was subsequently launched with police recordings of telephone conversations between players and officials used as evidence.

Bans remain
The Federal Court of Appeal also confirmed a five-year ban for Genoa president Enrico Preziosi and respective five and six-month bans for Venezia players Massimo Borgobello and Martin Lejsal.