Italy tribunal verdicts to be after World Cup

ROME, June 30 (Reuters) A tribunal trying four leading soccer clubs and 26 officials on match-fixing charges expects to deliver its verdicts on July 10, after the World Cup ends, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said today.

Champions Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio, as well as 26 senior officials, referees and linesmen, are on trial in Rome's Olympic Stadium for sporting fraud and unfair conduct.

The FIGC had previously said it expected the tribunal to finish its work between July 7 and 9 -- the latter being the date of the World Cup final in Berlin.

The football tribunal abruptly adjourned on its first day of hearings on Thursday, raising questions about whether the verdicts would be delivered by July 9.

''We are expecting the audiences to finish on July 7 or 8, with the tribunal retiring to consider its verdicts on July 9, and verdicts on the July 10,'' a FIGC spokesman said today.

Clubs found guilty at the tribunal risk deducted points, relegation and being stripped of their titles. Individuals face possible bans.

Those found guilty are expected to launch appeals.

Delays in the tribunal proceedings could leave the FIGC struggling to meet UEFA's deadline of July 27 to submit the list of teams for next season's Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions, newspapers said.

Reuters DH GC1642