Juventus threatened with more sanctions

ROME, Aug 23 (Reuters) The Italian football federation wrote to FIFA today saying it would impose extra sanctions on Juventus if the club turn to a civil court to try to overturn their relegation after a match-fixing scandal.

The letter, confirmed by the Italian federation (FIGC), said FIGC would not ''hesitate to launch the sanction process'' if Juve lodge an appeal with the regional Lazio court, as they have said they will.

FIGC said Juve have not yet lodged their appeal with the court.

A soccer tribunal ruling on the match-fixing scandal stripped Juve of their last two Italian titles and demoted them to the second division, where they will start next season minus 17 points.

The FIGC said that under its statute member clubs accept to abide by sports authorities' rules, forsaking their right to turn to civil courts which are outside the sports justice system.

It said it had received a letter from FIFA on Tuesday, reiterating that clubs appealing to civil courts should be punished for that.

Juve said on Monday they would appeal to the Lazio court after they failed to persuade the FIGC to overturn the relegation verdict last week.

REUTERS DH PC1907