Paparesta ban wiped out

The Federal Court of Appeal has overturned referee Gianluca Paparesta’s eight-month ban.

The Disciplinary Commission of the AIA Referees’ Association had suspended the Bari-born official after he was embroiled in the Calciopoli scandal this summer. Telephone interceptions showed former Juventus director Luciano Moggi confessing to locking the referee in the changing room after Juventus lost 2-1 against Reggina in the 2004-05 season.

The three-month ban for not informing the country's governing body about the incident has already been completed, so he is available to officiate in the next set of Serie B matches on Sunday.

“With this verdict, an international referee who has given credit to the Italian sport can return to his activity,” said lawyer Gianluigi Pellegrino. “We hope that the AIA and UEFA can take this into account immediately.”

The AIA's new overseer Luigi Agnolin has made his feelings about the seriousness of the omission clear, but refused to be drawn on this latest development. "I have taken note of this," he explained. "I am waiting to read the reasons behind the decision."