Armstrong faces defamation trial in Italy

ROME, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, faces a defamation trial near Rome.

However, Armstrong does not have to attend the trial and jail time is not a possible penalty, the BBC said Thursday.

The 34-year-old cycling U.S. legend has been ordered to stand trial March 7 in Latina, Italy, on charges of defaming fellow cyclist Filippo Simeoni. Latina is Simeoni's hometown.

Armstrong criticized Simeoni in an interview with Le Monde in 2003.