Conte's 10-month Scommessopoli ban upheld

The 43-year-old will not be allowed to take charge of the Serie A champions on matchdays, after his appeal was rejected by the Federal Court of Justice
Juventus coach Antonio Conte's appeal against his 10-month ban following his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal has proved unsuccessful.The manager was suspended by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) until the end of the 2012-13 campaign after failing to report two instances of match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena, and the decision has now been confirmed by the Federal Court.

Conte maintained earlier in the week that he was innocent and had expected to be allowed to return to the Juve bench for this weekend's Serie A opener against Parma, but assistant Massimo Carrera will now assume first-team duties of the Old Lady instead.

"This situation is like an open wound for me. I am innocent and I have a clear conscience," Conte told reporters on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old will still be allowed to train Juventus throughout the week, but not coach them on matchdays.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe's acquittal was also confirmed by the Federal Court.

The duo's names had already been cleared, but prosecutor Stefano Palazzi filed an appeal against the decision, which has since been rejected.