Juventus stadium ban lifted

(AP)

Fans will be allowed to watch Juventus host Lecce in Serie A this weekend after an appeal court decided on Thursday to suspend a decision to ban supporters.

Juve were ordered to play Sunday's game behind closed doors by the Italian league after fans racially abused Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli in a 1-1 draw in Turin earlier this month.

The club lost a first appeal at the Italian soccer federation on Tuesday but decided to appeal again to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).

CONI said in a statement the ban would be temporarily lifted pending a further hearing to examine the evidence on 14 May.

Juve have slipped to third in Serie A having been knocked out of the Italian Cup semi-finals and the Champions League last 16.