Juventus boss Conte calls ban a "disgrace"

Conte, who led an undefeated Juve to the Serie A title last term in his first season in charge, lost his appeal this week against being found guilty of permitting illegal betting while Siena coach in Serie B.

He was cleared of wrongdoing in one of the two Siena matches probed.

"I am innocent. It's a disgrace, it's a disgrace. I can say that because it is finished with them (FIGC) although there is another appeal," Conte told reporters at Juve's training ground outside Turin on Thursday.

"I have always respected the laws on and off the field, in this issue I have acted correctly.

"Yesterday was the cherry on the cake. It was something serious, something I have never seen."

The Siena matches that came under scrutiny for illegal betting were against Novara and Albinoleffe in May 2011. FIGC's appeals tribunal said on Wednesday that Conte had been acquitted over the Novara game but the 10-month ban should stay for the Albinoleffe affair.

They told Thursday's news conference that evidence used in the case against Conte came from a discredited player who could not be trusted. The FIGC disputes this.

"It's absurd, it's absurd. Everything that has happened to me," Conte continued. "I have never bet in my life."

Juve, although not directly involved this time, have a history of having to deal with match-fixing. Italy's best supported and most successful team domestically were demoted in a 2006 affair and struggled for years before last term's triumph.

Despite Conte's ban, Juve remain favourites with Italian bookmakers to retain their title this season after AC Milan engaged in cost-cutting and Inter Milan endured another difficult campaign last term.