Conte remains barred from Juventus touchline

Antonio Conte was accused of failing to disclose what he knew about match-fixing

Juventus coach Antonio Conte will have to wait until next week at the earliest before discovering whether a 10-month worldwide touchline ban will be reduced on appeal, after a hearing was adjourned Tuesday.

Conte was suspended by the Italian authorities before the start of the season after being accused of failing to disclose knowledge of match-fixing during his time at Siena in the 2010-11 season.

Laywers representing the Juve coach met with arbitrators of Italy’s National Court of Arbitration for Sport (TNAS) on Tuesday in a bid to submit evidence that would help drastically reduce the ban.

The lawyers want evidence from former Siena player Salvatore Mastronunzio and that of Cristian Stellini, the club’s former doctor, to be taken into account.

One of Conte’s two lawyers, Giulia Bongiorno, believes the evidence from Mastronunzio could be crucial.

“We think it’s essential Mastronunzio is heard. His testimony can reverse the whole decision,” said Bongiorno. “Our objective remains the acquittal (of Conte).”

After two hours of talks TNAS said a decision on whether to admit the evidence would be made October 7 at the latest and that the full reasons for whichever decision is reached would be given before November 15.

Conte’s ban has been endorsed by football’s world ruling body FIFA, meaning he cannot coach the Serie A champions during international as well as domestic fixtures.

Juventus host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League later Tuesday and the Turin-based side will continue to be coached by caretaker coach Massimo Carrera, who has steered Juve admirably in Conte’s absence.

Juve sit top of the league ahead of Napoli on goal difference after six games, thanks to five wins and one defeat.

The Turin giants underlined their title credentials with a 4-1 win over Roma on Saturday, a result which extended their unbeaten streak to 45 games stretching all the way back to a May 2011 defeat to Parma.

©2011 AFP