The Florence outfit were denied entry into the third qualifying round for their part in rigging matches in the 2004-05 season, and they were also handed a 19-point penalty for the start of the new campaign.

Serie A's leading scorer last season with 31 goals and a World Cup winner with Italy last month, Toni is desperate to play Champions League football but refutes claims his only motivation for wanting to leave is money.

"I've received many offers from important clubs that can compete for major trophies and they've offered me three times what I'm earning now," said the 29-year-old forward, who joined Fiorentina from Palermo in July of last year for a fee of 10 million euros (12.8 million dollars).

"Many people have remarked that it's just about money, but I gained success late in my career and I want to make the most of what is left of it.

"I got into the Champions League with Fiorentina but we cannot take part, and what's more we have a 19-point handicap for next season.

"When will I play in the Champions League here? Maybe in two or three years' time, when my contract runs out."

"The president (Andrea Della Valle) has to understand my ambitions. I've heard he doesn't want to see me, but it's not right to treat me this way.

"We need to find a solution that suits everybody."

Toni's professional career began with Modena in 1994 before brief spells with Treviso and Vicenza, where he played Serie A football for the first time.

He then joined Brescia where he played for two seasons, supported in attack by Italian legend Roberto Baggio.

Toni signed for Palermo in 2003 and helped the club win promotion from Serie B in his first season.