July 31 – Italy’s most storied club, Juventus, who have had a season to forget on and off the field, are further reeling after being kicked out of Europe by UEFA for breaching financial fair play rules.
The expulsion of Juve from the third-tier Europa Conference League was half-expected because of a false accounting case that already saw the two-time European champion deducted 10 points in Serie A.
The penalty dropped Juventus out of Champions League qualification places and into the Europa Conference League, that place now going to Fiorentina, who finished eighth last season, in the playoffs round starting on August 24.
The Italian giants were also fined €20 million by UEFA with half that amount suspended.
“Juventus violated UEFA’s regulatory framework…and it was decided to exclude Juventus from the 2023/24 UEFA men’s club competition,” said a UEFA statement.
European football’s governing body said the fine will only be applied if the 2023, 2024 and 2025 financial years do not meet their accounting requirements.
Juventus said in a statement that they accepted the decision and would not appeal.
“Juventus, while continuing to consider the alleged violations insubstantial and its actions correct, has declared to accept the decision,” the club said.
However, they insisted that this did not “constitute admission of any liability against itself”.
“We regret the decisions of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body,” added Juventus president Gianluco Ferrero. “We do not share the interpretation that has been given of our defense and we remain firmly convinced of the legitimacy of our actions and the validity of our arguments.
“However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment. Despite this painful decision, we can now face the new season by focusing on the field and not on the courts.”
In May, following a plea bargain approved by the Italian Football Federation tribunal, Juventus agreed to pay a fine of more than €700,000 over a separate investigation regarding players wages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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