Federation President Carlo Tavecchio discusses Juventus’ Calciopoli lawsuit – ‘the FIGC would go bankrupt’.
The final verdicts in the long running scandal were handed down by the criminal courts last week, with former Juventus directors Luciano Moggi and Antonio Giraudo acquitted on some charges, but not others.
Federation President Carlo Tavecchio discusses Juventus’ Calciopoli lawsuit – ‘the FIGC would go bankrupt’.
The final verdicts in the long running scandal were handed down by the criminal courts last week, with former Juventus directors Luciano Moggi and Antonio Giraudo acquitted on some charges, but not others.
The club is seeking €443m in damages from the Federation in a civil trial, citing loss of income, loss of players and damage to reputation for a scandal in which they believe they were unfairly singled out.
“I’ve always had great respect and affection for Turin,” Tavecchio told Tuttosport, a newspaper based in the city.
“Turin is also where the Federation was born [in 1898]. I supported Inter… well I no longer cheer for them but you know… however, I’ve always had a soft spot for Torino, for their history and tradition.
“Also, I was one of the few Inter fans who weren’t offended when Juve won.
“The thing that troubled me, though not personally, is the civil trial by Juventus, claiming €443m. How can that not be a problem?
“How can you go to lunch with someone, meanwhile they’re claiming €443m in damages from you? I don’t know how my predecessors did it.
“Every time I’ve met with [Juventus President Andrea] Agnelli he’s shown himself to be open to things, but we never went into details.
“We waited for the judgement of all levels of the Calciopoli courts. As for the liability action, Juventus have no chance after the Supreme Court ruling.
“The matter is closed. For other things, we’ll have to see.
“Other teams phoned the referees? It’s one thing to make calls to protest, it’s another to call to make agreements. The judgements are very clear.
“You can say that these things have been refuted in criminal law, but in sports it’s another thing. I have thought of everything and more regarding calls to the referees.
“The analysis by the Supreme Court shows that there were deliberate actions by the two Juventus directors.
“We don’t know the motivations [of the court for its decisions]? Sure, but in the meantime there have been convictions… or rather the statute of limitations came into effect, but the offence took place, from what I've read…
“I repeat, two directors from Juve, not from [amateur team] Bordighera.
“I’m not trying to block anything, what interests me now is the question of instability. The FIGC would go bankrupt if we gave Juventus that €443m.
“I’d rather just shake hands with Juve and tell everyone to tone it down, but I can’t do that. The FIGC has a dignity which we must get back.
“We’re servants to everyone, but slaves to no-one.
“Even Juventus have an interest [in the FIGC], with their players being in the national team, to set one party apart from everyone is useless.
“We just have to get rid of the claim for damages, then there’s nothing stopping us evaluating the rules and arguments that Juve believe should be evaluated.
“We are the first to understand that when you win a title on the field you have a right to it. The pre-Calciopoli Juventus did not need to win in court.
“[But] I have only one goal, to find an agreement with Juventus on the matter of the appeal [for damages]. Don’t put the cart before the horse.
“The big battle is the litigation, not the Scudetti.”