UEFA okays Samp's licence for Europe

(ANSA) - Genoa, June 18 - Sampdoria said Thursday that they will take part in next season's Europa League after successfully arguing that there is no reason for UEFA to deny the Genoa club their licence to take part in European competition. UEFA had expressed doubts about Sampdoria's position in regard to the case of former player Stefano Guberti, who was involved in attempts to fix a match against Bari in April 2011.
    Samp plea-bargained a penalty of a one-point deduction in Serie A and a 30,000-euro fine at a sporting tribunal for indirect responsibility.
    But on Thursday UEFA upheld the case for the defence presented by Samp's lawyers.
    Sampdoria, who finished seventh in Serie A last season, qualified for the Europa League after city rivals Genoa, who came sixth, were denied a UEFA licence over financial irregularities.