Parma docked two Serie A points for failing to pay players' salaries

ROME --

Crisis-hit Serie A club Parma has been deducted a further two points for failing to pay players' salaries.

The Italian Football Federation announced the penalty on Friday, and also banned former Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi and ex-chief executive Pietro Leonardi from league activities for four months.

Parma had already been docked a point in December for a similar offense.

The unpaid wages stem from July-September, so Parma could face more sanctions as salaries have not been paid since then either.

Parma was given a 5-million euro ($5.5 million) emergency fund last week to help it finish the season after two consecutive matches were postponed.

Parma has been sold twice this season and a bankruptcy hearing has been set for March 19.

The punishment leaves Parma with just nine points, 15 off safety.