Italy to kick off by decree

Mr Berlusconi is also president of European Champions AC Milan

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has approved an emergency decree aimed at ensuring that the Italian soccer season begins on time at the end of August.

A dispute over television fees and possible court action by several relegated clubs are threatening to delay the season's kick-off.

The new decree allows the decisions of governing bodies of sports federations, such as the Football Federation and the National Olympic Committee, to override the ordinary courts in any legal dispute involving sport.

Mr Berlusconi, who is also the president of the current European Champions AC Milan, interrupted his holidays in Sardinia for the emergency cabinet meeting saying getting the country's football in order was a priority.

Several Italian football clubs are currently involved in acrimonious relegation disputes with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Obsession

This is a vital matter with the start of the season looming, the BBC's David Willey in Rome says.

Some big clubs, like Roma and Napoli, have also been accused of fraud in their financial administration.

Culture Minister Giuliano Urbani said the decree would force clubs to go through all the levels of appeal within the FIGC and only after that would they be free to turn to the regional court of Lazio and Italy's Supreme Court.

Our correspondent says Mr Berlusconi, who has already adjusted Italian law to give himself immunity from prosecution over allegations of corruption, is now applying the same tactics to what is seen as Italy's national obsession - football.

He says it is an overtly political move to curry popular support just as the country's entering a period of economic recession, with the prospect this autumn of bad economic news which could affect the pockets of ordinary Italians.