AC Milan's place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League could be blocked by Uefa's emergency panel today, European soccer's ruling body said yesterday.
Milan, the six-times champions of Europe, were included on a list of clubs submitted by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following a decision by the appeals court adjudicating in the Serie A match-fixing scandal on Tuesday.
The emergency panel consists of Uefa president Lennart Johansson, first vice-president Senes Erzik of Turkey, treasurer Jeu Sprengers of The Netherlands and one other executive committee member. Uefa's decision is expected this morning with the draw for the third qualifying round scheduled for tomorrow morning.
With last season's champions Juventus stripped of their title and demoted to Serie B and European qualifiers Fiorentina and Lazio deducted points dropping them out of the European qualifying places, Italy's entries to the Champions League and Uefa Cup have been reassigned.
Inter Milan and AS Roma have been put forward for the group stage, with AC Milan and Chievo Verona the entries for the third qualifying round stage.
Palermo, Livorno and Parma have been entered for the Uefa Cup. If Milan were to be denied access to European competition next season, Uefa could allocate their place to another Italian team, or hand it to a club from another country.
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