Serie A: Perugia ready to mount Legal challenge

By Dave Eadevic
June 28 2004

Perugia president Luciano Gaucci is threatening a legal challenge following his clubs relegation to Serie B. Perugia were relegated following a play off with Fiorentina. But now Gauchi is ready to aproach the Olympic comittee, to challenge that outcome.

He is ready to claim that a number of clubs in Serie A do not have the correct financial standing to stay in the league, and should not be allowed to register.

"We will appeal to the Olympic Committee council to get Perugia reinstated into the top flight," quoted Gaucci. "Some clubs did not have the correct financial status to register for this Championship.

"I am certain that our appeal will be accepted and our rights acknowledged but in case that doesn't happen I am ready to go to the bitter end, including into the civil courts."

Of course this is not the first time he has carried out a legal battle, he fought to have Catania promoted to Serie B last year after a draw with a side that fielded a banned player.

"Perugia deserve Serie A because we always did everything by the book, while other clubs did not and that is why I am prepared to lead this battle," he went on.

"I consider this to be a tougher challenge than the one I won with Catania last year, but I won't give in and am ready to use any means necessary."

He also went on to state his intention of selling the entire team:

"I confirm my intention of selling off the entire squad as punishment,"

"It is also certain that the coach will be Serse Cosmi, as he has another year left on his contract and his future is not remotely in doubt."