Juventus has taken its appeal to the next level by involving the Lazio TAR regional court, seeking civil damages in excess of 130 million euros (more than $150 million) as well as reinstatement to Italy's Serie A. While the club says it is not seeking a specific sum, the 130 million "sum serves to convey how much we will be hit" by relegation to Serie B and a 17-point penalty to start the season, Juve's lawyer said Friday. The TAR Court has set the first hearing for Sept. 1. The move to bring its appeal to Italy's regional court system comes in direct defiance to both the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) and FIFA, whose rules state that soccer matters are not to be brought to civil courts. Earlier this week, the FIGC vowed to punish the Turin club for its dissent. This came after FIFA threatened to excise the national team and Italy's clubs from all international competition. Juve claims that it had no choice but to bring the matter to the TAR because of the "unjust severity of the penalties and the unfairness of the treatment given [to Juventus] compared to other competitors." The club also said it was willing to run the risk of further punishment to protect the rights of its shareholders. Shares of Juventus have plummeted since the scandal broke in May; most pundits say its efforts will produce dividends. Read the original story...