The Italian Olympic Committee yesterday upheld the Italian Football League's earlier verdict that Juventus were guilty of failing to react to a section of their fans who directed racist abuse towards Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli in a league meeting last month.

A statement posted on juventus.com yesterday evening read: "The High Court of the CONI ... tonight denied Juventus their appeal with regards to the sentence by the sport authorities which declared the Olimpico should be closed to supporters for one match.

"The Bianconeri will therefore play the first of their two remaining home matches, the one against Atalanta, without their supporters."